Bombshell: Davis Thompson Joins Elite Ranks with PGA Tour Triumph
Davis Thompson is a PGA Tour winner. And if we write it here, you know he’s a Dawg.
Joining the likes of Bubba Watson, Hudson Swafford, Kevin Kisner, Chris Kirk, Harris English, Russell Henley, Brian Harman, Keith Mitchell, Sepp Straka, and Brendon Todd, Thompson is now a former University of Georgia Bulldog golfer, coached by current men’s UGA golf coach Chris Haack, winning on the PGA Tour.
The Auburn, Alabama-raised Thompson didn’t need any weird mojo from his hometown to pull it off, either. More on that in a second.
Thompson is spending his second full season on the PGA Tour. After winning most of the accolades one can win in college (2021 SEC Player of the Year, 1st team all-SEC, 1st team All-American, multiple tourney wins, etc. etc.) he turned pro in late 2021. A stellar 2022-23 Korn Ferry season including a win propelled the young UGA legacy to the PGA Tour for 2023 and 2024.
An early runner-up finish at the 2023 American Express gave him confidence to know he belonged. So much so, that he made the FedEx Cup playoffs in his rookie campaign.
Rising Star: Thompson’s Early Success and Confidence Boost
The 2024 season has been pretty good for a youngster. He’s made 14 of 19 cuts so far, with 10 top-25 finishes. That includes second place finishes at the Myrtle Beach Classic in May and last week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit. A top-10 at the US Open in Pinehurst, plus top-30’s at both the Memorial and Charles Schwab shows he was in good form this summer and knocking at the door.
Saturday Surge: Thompson’s Impressive 62 Takes Command
While hanging around the first two rounds, Davis took command Saturday with a best-of-the-day 62. The course surrenders low rounds routinely – a 59 was recorded earlier in the week along with a 61. But stacking good rounds is the key in the Quad Cities, and Thompson was doing that very thing. Starting Sunday with a two-stroke lead, a tenuous thing at best, Thompson fired early and often and built the lead up by the turn.
The Final Stretch: Nailing It Down with Precision and Calm
All he had to do was hang on. And he did that very thing, hitting fairways and greens down the stretch. He actually had great looks at birdie on several of his last nine holes, but didn’t need them. The stress-free pars were just what the doctor, and his dad (former UGA golfer Todd Thompson 1985-1988), and he, and pretty much everyone else ordered.
Thompson becomes the third former Bulldog to claim the John Deere Classic as champion (Straka – 2023, Harman, 2014).
Serendipity: The Rental House Magic Continues
Word is, he’s staying in the same rental house that Sepp Straka rented last year. And sleeping in the same room as Straka did. Straka went on to capture the tournament title in 2023 and book his flight across the pond for the British Open. Which Thompson will also do. Methinks that rental house, and that room, might bump up their rate come next July.
Bulldogs on the Rise: UGA Golf Legacy Thrives
While you’re looking for VRBO’s in Round Rock, TX, or biting your nails over this autumn’s visit to Tuscaloosa, rest easy knowing that Bulldogs are doing very well. Like $1.4 million well, and another Bulldog in the field at the British Open. Enjoy, and as always…
In this bombshell triumph, Davis Thompson has not only added his name to the prestigious list of University of Georgia alumni to claim a PGA Tour victory but has also continued the legacy of excellence fostered by coach Chris Haack. From his days of dominating college golf, earning the title of 2021 SEC Player of the Year, and securing multiple tournament victories, Thompson’s journey to professional success was all but inevitable.
Transitioning from college stardom to the professional ranks, Thompson’s rookie season on the PGA Tour showcased his immense potential. A runner-up finish at the 2023 American Express marked the beginning of a remarkable journey, as he confidently made his way to the FedEx Cup playoffs.
The 2024 season has been a testament to Thompson’s growing prowess. With 14 cuts made in 19 events and 10 top-25 finishes, including notable runner-up finishes at the Myrtle Beach Classic and Rocket Mortgage Classic, Thompson has firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His top-10 finish at the US Open in Pinehurst and solid performances at the Memorial and Charles Schwab have further cemented his status as a rising star.
The pivotal moment came on Saturday at the John Deere Classic, where Thompson’s extraordinary 62 catapulted him to the top of the leaderboard. With a two-stroke lead heading into Sunday, Thompson’s unwavering focus and precision allowed him to maintain his lead and secure the victory. As he navigated the final stretch, hitting fairways and greens with ease, Thompson’s stress-free pars ensured a comfortable win.
Adding a touch of serendipity to his triumph, Thompson stayed in the same rental house and room as Sepp Straka, the previous year’s champion. This uncanny coincidence seemed to work its magic once again, propelling Thompson to victory and securing his place in the British Open.
With his impressive performance, Thompson has become the third former Bulldog to win the John Deere Classic, following in the footsteps of Straka and Harman. As the Bulldogs continue to make their mark in the golfing world, Thompson’s $1.4 million win and upcoming appearance in the British Open highlight the bright future ahead for this talented golfer.
In this riveting tale of determination and triumph, Davis Thompson’s journey from college standout to PGA Tour champion is a testament to his skill, perseverance, and the enduring legacy of University of Georgia golf.