Neal Lancaster has the early lead during the opening of the John Deere Classic near the Quad Cities. Lancaster birdied five of the first nine holes and finished with a seven-under par 64. It was a great start for a golfer who says he has been struggling for the past few years.
He played in three tour events in the past champions category and has been second in four of the last five. Lancaster says he’s trying something different every day, and says this is just the first round.
Lancaster says he played with no pressure. He says he hasn’t been playing very well for the last six years, so just went out and played like a practice round. Lancaster says he’s been playing so bad that he hasn’t been putting or hitting the driving range.
Lancaster says the conditions were right for a low score. He says the course will dry out if there’s no rain, and the wind is making some holes longer. Lancaster says the key to winning is easy, "You got to make putts."
Masters Champion and Iowa native Zach Johnson finished the first round at one under par.