From the late wave, past champ and World No. 145 Dylan Frittelli smoothed a bogey-free 5-under 33-33=66 in R1 of the John Deere Classic, T5 on the board and four short of leader J.T. Poston, who carded a 62 earlier today.
The South African won his lone PGA TOUR title to date on debut in 2019 as a first-time member (not a rookie) and defended in 2021 since there was no event in 2020 (COVID), missing the cut by one (68-71). When he claimed victory in 2019, becoming the first debutant to win the Deere since Sean O’Hair in 2005, he was a pre-tourney 66/1, and also opened with 66 (T10, 4 back) before going on to a 2-shot triumph (66-68-65-64). This year, the Texas alum was a pre-tourney 70/1, missed the cut at last week’s Travelers (73-72), ending a streak of 10 consecutive made cuts on the season, and ticked five birdies today on four (of 14) fairways and 11 greens in regulation. At last check, he gained 2.080 strokes tee-to-green, despite losing 0.646 off-the-tee, and 3.209 on-the-green with 24 total putts, beginning with a par-saver at one from 16'4". See link below to post-round comments.