2025 John Deere Classic leaderboard: Max Homa goes low, Rickie Fowler in the hunt after Round 1

The fireworks began early as players found plenty of low numbers at TPC Deere Run on Thursday

With many of the world's best golfers taking Fourth of July weekend off, the 2025 John Deere Classic provides players with a terrific opportunity for a breakthrough win. After Thursday's first round, two of the bigger names in the field, Max Homa and Rickie Fowler, have positioned themselves to have a chance at their first victory of 2025 and seventh on the PGA Tour.

Fowler shot an opening 6-under 65 to put him three back of Doug Ghim's 18-hole lead at 9 under. Fowler got off to an eventful start as he went birdie-birdie-double bogey to open his round (starting on the back nine) and went out in even-par 36. However, he tore up the front side at TPC Deere Run with a 6-under 29 to charge up the leaderboard and position himself as a threat to keep an eye on all weekend. 

He wasn't the low round of his group, though, as Homa shot an 8-under 63 to move into T2 going into Friday, finding a little something off the tee and getting hot with his putter to move into contention during what has been a tough year. Homa is without a top 10 finish this season, and he has been visibly frustrated with his swing. That wasn't the case Thursday, and while there are three more rounds to go on a course that typically concedes lots of low scores, Homa said after the round he's going to enjoy putting together a complete day of great golf.