Link to Article on The Red & Black
By Olivia Sayer
Georgia’s Davis Thompson during day one of the Athens Regional on May 13, 2019. (Photo by Kristin M. Bradshaw)
Davis Thompson had a reputation to uphold entering the final day of the John Deere Classic. It was not his own, but rather that of the house Thompson spent the week in. The former Bulldog stayed in the ‘Trophy House,’ and his first PGA Tour victory extended its winning streak.
“It’s kind of crazy,” Thompson said of the house’s notoriety. “[J.T. Poston] two years ago, and then [Sepp Straka] had that unbelievable final round last year.”
The house, now dubbed the ‘Trophy House,’ is known for lodging champions. The past three winners of the John Deere Classic all stayed in the house, with the last two stemming from Georgia.
To add to the legend, the two former Bulldogs lived in the same room.
“I stayed in Sepp [Straka’s] room this year,” Thompson said. “So me and him might be fighting for that room next year.”
After Straka was unable to maximize the house’s luck for the second-straight year, Thompson took advantage of the opening. Straka joked the 25-year-old “snuck into his room.”
“My family is coming into town tomorrow,” Straka said prior to the tournament. “Until [then], I’ve been hanging out over there, hanging out with the guys and playing some cards. I guess Davis kind of snuck into my room, so maybe it can work well for him.”
It did work out well for Thompson, as he shot 28-under 256 to break the John Deere Classic record set by Michael Kim in 2018. The victory marked Thompson’s first on the PGA Tour and secured his spot in the next three majors.
Although it may not be due to magical furniture, staying in the ‘Trophy House’ did contribute to the win. Thompson said living with other golfers allowed him to take his mind off the tournament.
“Staying in a hotel room by myself, I probably would’ve let my mind wander a lot,” Thompson said going into Sunday’s final round. “My mind did wander, but just hanging out with those guys last night, doing laundry and watching sports kind of kept my mind off things.”
J.T. Poston, the 2022 winner and one of the building’s six residents, agreed the camaraderie is a benefit for the golfers who stay there.
“We have fun, play a lot of cards and once we get home it’s pretty relaxed,” Poston said. “I think when you’re playing well, that’s nice to go back to that and not be thinking about your golf. Obviously, it’s working.”
After Straka won the tournament last year, the former Bulldog paid for the rental of the house. With Thompson’s victory, the expectation is the same. However, with a prize of $1.44 million, Thompson will gladly trade a few dollars for his first PGA Tour title.
“I think I have to pay for the whole house now, which is unfortunate,” Thompson said. “But I’ll gladly write the check for that.”
Thompson will now play in the Open Championship beginning July 18 at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. He will make his Masters debut next April before attempting to go back-to-back in the John Deere Classic, where it’s safe to assume space in the ‘Trophy House’ will be in high demand.
“Seems like everybody is going to want to be staying in that house next year,” Thompson joked.