Johnson more than comfortable at Deere Run

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Day Two

Zach Johnson demonstrated his love affair with the John Deere Classic is as passionate as ever when he carded a first-round 65 on Thursday and he can build on that with another solid performance in round two.

The 2015 Open champion from Iowa ended the first round two shots off the pace at Deere Run and it was the 30th time in his last 32 attempts that he has broken 70 at the Illinois track.

Johnson's course record is exemplary. He finished 34th last year but chalked up five successive top-three finishes in the tournaments before that, including victory in 2012 and he found all but one green in regulation in his opening round.

It has not been a great season for the 2007 Masters champion - he has posted just one top-20 finish in his last 11 tournaments, but he looks a decent price to come out on top of his threeball which features ante-post favourite Daniel Berger and overnight joint-leader Charles Howell (7.10pm BST).

Berger is playing in his first JDC and it is a surprise he has decided this is the best way for him to prepare for next week's Open, especially has he has played in the third Major of the year just once - when Johnson won at St Andrews - and he missed the cut.

He was unlucky to lose in a playoff to Jordan Spieth at the Travelers Championship three weeks ago, so his game is in good shape and while his opening 69 was unspectacular, his thoughts may start to turn to next week if he slips behind the pace.

As favourite to win the threeball, he looks to be worth taking on and Howell may not be the man to see him off.

He has not claimed a PGA Tour success since 2007 and while he lost in a playoff at the Quicken Loans National a fortnight ago, he may not be able to keep up the pace he showed on Thursday.

His putter was red hot during his opening round and he will have to maintain his high standards on the dancefloors if he cannot improve his driving accuracy and greens-in-regulation statistics.

Recommendation
Z Johnson to win threeball
2pts 21-10 Betfair, Paddy Power