JT Poston scores 62 to lead by two strokes at John Deere Classic

SILVIS, Ill. — JT Poston went 62, nine under on Thursday, and holds a two-stroke lead over Canadian Michael Gligic after the first round of the John Deere Classic, a PGA tournament.

After placing second last week at Connecticut, Poston scored an eagle on hole number two, a par-5, added seven birdies and bogey-free on the TPC Deere Run course.

A member of the last group to tee off on the No. 1 tee, Gligic, who hails from Burlington, Ont., also dodged the bogeys and finished one stroke ahead of Vaughn Taylor and Christopher Gotterup.

« It’s been good, » Gligic said. I hit the ball where I was hoping for, and gave myself a lot of great opportunities. I think I only missed one green in the prescribed strokes and was able to putt a few. »

Ricky Barnes, Denny McCarthy, Chris Naegel and Dylan Frittelli all shot 66.

Adam Svensson of Surrey, BC, is tied for ninth after shooting 67, four under par. Ontario’s David Hearn shot 68 while Nick Taylor of Winnipeg shot 71.

Defending champion Lucas Glover played 74.