While the favorites struggled, Doug Ghim played steady golf to hold the midway lead at 12-under. Defending champ Davis Thompson and Max Homa sit one shot back, ready for a weekend shootout.

The John Deere Classic cut line bounced between 4- and 5-under late in the afternoon on a steamy Fourth of July Friday, but by then five of the t

Doug Ghim is at 9 under after a first-round 62 and he's leading after one round. Austin Eckroad and Max Homa fired 63s and they're a shot back. Others giving chase include Sam Stevens, Justin Lower and Michael Kim.