"Had Nothing to Lose": Eric Cole Turns Disaster Into Opportunity After 'Playing So Poorly' in Round 1
May 31, 2026; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Eric Cole walks from the sixth tee during the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
May 31, 2026; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Eric Cole walks from the sixth tee during the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Eric Cole’s opening round at the John Deere Classic was a disaster. He shot a 5‑over 76 on Thursday, leaving himself with little margin to survive the cut. But Friday morning, he arrived with a new mindset and a new set of irons.
At his post‑round press conference on July 3, Cole described how he approached the day. “Yeah, it was just like kind of had nothing to lose,” Cole said.
"You know, I played so poorly yesterday that I was just going to try and obviously shoot as low as I can and hopefully get in a spot to potentially make the cut… more just like have a day to work on my game and try and make some improvements and see where my game is at.”
Jul 3, 2026; Silvis, Illinois, USA; Eric Cole lines up his putt on the 9th green during the second round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Jul 3, 2026; Silvis, Illinois, USA; Eric Cole lines up his putt on the 9th green during the second round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
That mindset paid off. Eric Cole shot an 8-under 63, the lowest score of the day. That helped him make the cut right on the cut line at TPC Deere Run.
The iron switch had an unusual backstory. Cole bent one of his irons in frustration after Round 1 and texted his equipment manufacturer, PXG, who overnighted him a replacement set.
"I was frustrated yesterday and bent one of my irons," Cole said in the press conference as per ASAP Sports transcription. "I was due to get a new set, so I kind of text the PXG people, and they overnighted me a set of irons. So, yeah, they were much better today, so we'll go with that."
The new irons were the same model and specs as his previous set. Cole also added a 2‑iron to the bag, a club he had prepared for next week’s Scottish Open, a major PGA Tour event.
The Turnaround: Birdies, Eagles, and a New Mindset
Cole’s second round started with a long birdie putt on the first hole, followed by an eagle at the second. He also made his second eagle of the day at the 17th hole to move above the cut line.
"Getting off to that kind of start is almost what you need to shoot a low round here," he said in the same press conference. "I was very welcomed to that start."
Cole addressed his mindset on close calls and grinding through difficult stretches.
"I just am trying to kind of put my best foot forward and keep doing the right things," he said. "And hopefully, you know, as far as winning, that will happen eventually if I'm there more often."
What do you think about Eric Cole's stunning turnaround at the John Deere Classic? Let us know in the comments!
Written by
Sneha Abraham
Edited by
Koushik Biswas