Harman in Front at John Deere Classic; Stricker One Back


Brian Harman fired a 6-under 65 to take over solo first after 54 holes of the John Deere Classic. The $4.7 million PGA Tour event started Thursday at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.

Harman, a 27-year-old from Georgia in search of his first PGA Tour title, carded four birdies, two eagles and two bogeys Saturday to reach 17-under 196, a stroke ahead of Steve Stricker.

The 47-year-old Stricker, who won the Deere Classic three straight years in 2009-11, soared up the leaderboard after posting eight birdies and a bogey for a 64 on the par-71 course.

Scott Brown moved up into solo third at 15-under 198 off of a 10-birdie 61, while tied for fourth a stroke further back are 36-hole co-leaders Zach Johnson and William McGirt - who each carded 69s, South Africa's Tim Clark (64) and Jerry Kelly (65).

Brown told reporters later that in the third round he was trying to recover from Friday's "bad" 1-under 70. "I was just trying to get back into the golf tournament, and it turned into a great round," he said.

Tied for eighth at 200 are Venezuela's Jhonattan Vegas (63) and Americans Ryan Moore (67) and Johnson Wagner (69). Another shot down the leaderboard are Canadian Brad Fritsch (63), Aussie Steven Bowditch (70) and American Charles Howell III.

Vegas got off to a hot start in his career, winning the 2011 Bob Hope Classic. But, after missing three cuts in three events in 2013, he had shoulder surgery last year. Vegas attempted to regain his PGA Tour status through the Web.com Tour Finals, but came up short.

The 29-year-old is playing this year on a medical extension and needs to make over $280,000 this week and in his next two tournaments to keep his Tour card. "Whatever happens happens, to be honest," he said. "If it works, fine. If it doesn't, we go to the range."

Defending Deere champion Jordan Spieth posted a 67 and heads into Sunday sharing 14th at 11-under 202 with Daniel Summerhays (65), David Toms (67) and Chad Campbell (62).

For complete scoring details, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.