Steve Wheatcroft shot a career-best 9-under 62 on Thursday to take a one-shot lead in the John Deere Classic.

 

Wheatcroft birdied seven of the last nine holes to finish a shot ahead of Michael Kim. Johnson Wagner, Nick Taylor, Andres Romero and Joel Dahmen shot opening-round 64s. Francesco Molinari, who won the Quicken Loans National two weeks ago, was among a group of players three strokes back.

 

Zach Johnson shot 69 and three-time John Deere winner Steve Stricker finished at 1-under 70.

 

Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau, the highest-ranked player in the field, withdrew because of a right shoulder injury.