Glover builds two-shot lead in John Deere Classic

He was at 14-under 128, two shots ahead of Lee Hodges (66) and another shot ahead of Zac Blair, who made a nifty par of his own on the closing hole at TPC Deere Run for a 68.

For a tournament with so much emphasis on youth, the focus shifted to some of the veterans. Glover is 46 while 50-year-old Zach Johnson shot 70 to set the early target.

Johnson, who is skipping the US Senior Open this week because the Deere has always been a local event for the Iowa native, was tied for 11th, six shots behind.

Glover's three-year exemption from winning back-to-back tournaments in the late summer of 2023 is set to expire this year, so this could be a big week for him.

"I'm too old to chase that stuff, to be fair," Glover said. "I just want to play. I just wanted to play well again, and I've struggled.

"Having two days like this just gives me a little belief that it's in there, you know? Been working hard at it and hadn't seen many results and have for two days. Doesn't mean anything tomorrow. Doesn't mean anything Sunday.

"But for these first two days my work has been paying off," he said. "I got a couple more days to keep fighting and keep doing it."

Glover got off to a blazing start through five holes, with each of his shots into the green eight feet or closer. He converted three of them for birdie and hit his tee shot into the par-3 16th to two feet.

Hodges made a pair of eight-foot par putts over his final three holes to stay in range.

Karl Vilips, the lone Australian in the field, followed his 72 with a brilliant 65.

It was one of the low rounds of the day as Vilips carded an eagle on the second before making five birdies. His only blemish came on the par-three seventh, where he made bogey.     

The cut came at three-under 141, and Jordan Spieth made it on the number.

He was outside by three shots until making three birdies in a five-hole stretch on the back nine for a 69.