PGA: Johnson fires 3-under in first round of John Deere

SILVIS, IL - Zach Johnson cooled off a bit on the back nine, after nearly matching his number of front-nine pars (five) with front nine birdies (four) in Thursday's first round of the John Deere Classic.

With University of Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz following along in the gallery, Johnson followed his front nine 31 with a back nine 37 (1-over-par) to shoot 3-under 68.

Johnson currently sits in a tie for 22nd place. About half of the 156-player field is still in progress at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.

Johnson birdied Nos. 2, 5, 7 and 8 in a bogey-free front nine, but slipped up on Nos. 11 and 18. He sandwiched a birdie at the par-4 15th in between his only two blemishes of the day. No. 11 is playing as the second-toughest hole on the course.