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Former British Open champ Hamilton surges into contention

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By Eric Page | Saturday, July 12, 2008 |

Todd Hamilton of Westlake, Texas, hits from the sixth-hole tee during the John Deere Classic on Saturday, July 12, 2008, at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. Hamilton hit a 66 in the third round to put him 10-under par. (Andrew Link/QUAD-CITY TIMES) Buy this Photo

It was a good omen when Todd Hamilton finished his pro-am round Wednesday with a chip-in birdie on No. 18 to cap an 8-under-par 63 and help his team win the John Deere Classic’s pre-tournament event.

Saturday, he harnessed the positive energy once again.

After opening the JDC

69-68, Hamilton, the Oquawka, Ill., native who played his first Quad-Cities PGA event as an 20-year-old amateur in 1986, tore up a soggy, soft, forgiving TPC Deere Run for a 5-under 66.

It was his best round in nine appearances at the tournament he calls his “fifth major,” and it moved him to 10-under overall, putting him within striking distance of leaders Kenny Perry, Eric Axley and Brad Adamonis.

“I’ve been playing well,” the 42-year-old Hamilton said. “I’ve been seeing some good things happen not just for one hole or two holes or three holes but for nine holes and 18 holes. Now I’m seeing it for three rounds. It’s good. I’d like to finish it off with a really good score.”

The 2004 British Open champion and PGA Tour Rookie of the Year has been on an upward climb of late. After missing five of seven cuts to start his season, he has made it to the weekend in 10 of 12 events, including the JDC, which over the years has been a place to call home.

The tournament supplied his best finish of 2005 (T13) and 2006 (T10) before he missed the cut in 2007. He came here this week intent on carrying momentum across the pond to Royal Birkdale.

He was hot Saturday, carding seven birdies, including a deuce on the par-3 third — a hole on which he dropped his tee shot within a foot of the pin.

Win or show today, Hamilton said a low score will go a long way in boosting his confidence for the British.

“It’ll make that charter flight a little nicer going over,” Hamilton said. “You don’t want to sit on a flight for whatever it is, 8 or 9 hours, stewing over a 75 or 74 on a course that’s playing pretty easy.

“On the other hand, if you go 6-, 7-, 8-under, it’d be a nice little bonus. You may not win, but it’d probably give you a nice finish.”

Eric Page can be contacted at (563) 383-2277 or epage@qctimes.com.