John Deere Classic: Brendon Todd holds his nerve at 18th hole to lead ahead of final round | Golf News

Brendon Todd posted three birdies in quick succession before saving par on the 18th to take a one-shot lead after the third round of the John Deere Classic; watch the final round live on Sunday from 5pm on Sky Sports Golf

Brendon Todd sank a pressure putt on the 18th hole to secure par and take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the John Deere Classic at Silvis, Illinois.

Todd, a three-time PGA Tour winner, drove close to the left fairway bunker and had to play his next shot with one foot in the sand, but managed to set up a 105-yard wedge before holing from 12 feet.

That rescued the 37-year-old’s par and completed a five-under round of 66 at TPC Deere Run, placing him one shot ahead of a trio of rivals – Alex Smalley, Denny McCarthy and Adam Schenk.

“I think that was the excitement on the last hole – it kept me bogey-free and kept me in the lead,” said Todd. “You always want to be the guy being chased.

“It’s just head down and make birdies. It’s going to be hard to run away and hide here, but that’s the goal.

“Anybody who is within three shots of the lead is looking to go as low as they can, so there’s certainly going to be no defence for me. It’s going to be the same stuff.”

Todd eagled the par-five second, holing a 25-footer, and added three birdies on the back nine – but the biggest mover of the day was Smalley, who soared up the leaderboard with a round of 62.

Smalley, who began his round with a birdie and an eagle before posting six further birdies, said: “I feel like a veteran here.

Todd displayed his relief after making the putt that rescued par on the final hole

“I’ve only had two years on tour, and this is my third year at this event, so it’s one of the few where I feel like I know the course decently well. I like the atmosphere of this tournament.”

McCarthy eagled the par-four 14th, hitting a 342-drive onto the green and making a 30-foot putt, then rebounded from a 16th-hole bogey with a birdie on the next to finish on 66, while Schenk carded 67.

Peter Kuest (65) was 14 under, two off the lead, with second-round leader Cameron Young (71) another stroke back alongside seven other players including early front-runner Jonas Blixt (65).

Watch the final round of the John Deere Classic on Sunday, live from 5pm on Sky Sports Golf.

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