Chez Reavie overcomes fears to grab halfway lead at John Deere Classic on PGA Tour
Chez Reavie’s story is about struggle and shear perseverance in face of adversity than anything else. The trauma-hit golfer, who underwent right knee rebuilding surgery some eight months back, was facing a serious threat to his career when he missed three
cuts in his five appearances in the season earlier.
On Friday, July 8, he finally broke through the mental barrier to post a nine-under, 62, grabbing the second round lead at John Deere Classic. His powerful performance has now guided him to the summit of the $4.5-million event, two shots clear of the rest
of the field.
"At first I was kind of counting my starts and counting how much money (I wasn't making) and I was so stressed about thinking about that I wasn't thinking about golf so much," said Reavie. "So after about five or six tournaments at the beginning of the year,
I just said to h**l with this, I'm just going to go play and wherever I finish up, I finish up. Then I started playing better golf."
Reavie opened up his front nine with an eagle at par-five, 2nd and went over to card four more birdies and dropped two shots before making the turn. He posted a stronger back nine with five five birdies, without dropping a shot to finish with
nine-under.
"I knew if I just got it on the green somewhere, I really had a good chance of making a birdie," he added.
Reavie’s right knee was operated on June 1 last year and his damaged ACL and meniscus were rebuilt. His opening events this year were marred by his constant concern for his knee which hampered his form until he decided to throw away the distraction and went
over to swing to his own liking. Reavie equaled his career-best round of 62 to finish with an aggregate of 14-under, 128.
Defending champion Steve Stricker, hoping to post a three-peat here at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, broke through the ranks to post seven-under, 64, successfully catapulting him into contention. He is now tied for the second place alongside Steve Marino who
has played level-par golf in his opening rounds.
Marino carded second round of five-under, 66, finishing off with an aggregate of 12-under through the halfway mark.
Tags: