​In SILVIS, Ill. — Lucas Glover hasn’t carded a bogey through two rounds of the 2026 John Deere Classic. The 46-year-old from South Carolina followed an 8-under 63 in Round 1 with a 65 on Friday, reaching 14 under and widening his lead to two strokes heading into the weekend. Glover began on the back nine, opening with consecutive birdies at 10 and 11 and continuing to surge with gains at 14, 16 and 17 to finish the front side 5-under 31. He played the front nine with pars on every hole except for a birdie at the par-5 second.
“Kind of just kept playing nice,” Glover said. “Nothing spectacular, just solid, good golf. Could have made a few more on the front, but I didn’t, and I’m still very happy with how I played.”
A six-time PGA Tour winner, Glover hasn’t won since 2023. If he grabs the title this weekend, it would be his second John Deere Classic triumph, after winning there in 2021. Given the scoring history of the event, four under-par rounds are often needed to win, so he isn’t counting on the trophy just yet.
“I know good and well that it’s going to take a lot more, so there’s not going to be any hanging on,” he said. “The pedal has to be down, stay aggressive. I like that mindset better than just trying to hang on and make pars. It’s easier to sleep knowing you don’t have to play as aggressively as I did yesterday and today to have a chance.”
Glover stands out as a veteran amid a field brimming with young talent hoping to announce themselves at the John Deere Classic, which has produced more first-time winners (24) than any other event. “This is my 23rd year, there’s nothing I haven’t ‘been there, done that,’ to be fair,” he noted. “I’ve played in the last groups and played great, and I’ve played in the last groups and played terrible. There’s no secret formula beyond staying hydrated, resting, and keeping the pedal down this week, because you can’t ride a wave of heroics alone. There will be birdies and eagles. It’s going to be fun.”
Nick Stavas is a Golfweek digital producer and commerce writer. Follow him on X/Twitter @nickstavas. This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Lucas Glover takes a two-shot lead into the weekend at the 2026 John Deere Classic.