Andrew Ruthkoski fired a 3 under par 68 Thursday in Silvis, Illinois in the first round of the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic. He sits in 15th place. Ruthkoski played in college at MSU from 2001 to 2005. Jack Newman, who will be a senior on the MSU team this fall, nailed a late birdie and finished at even par 71. He is in 82nd place and will likely need a sub par round Friday to make the cut. Newman missed the cut at the Masters back in April by three shots. Both players play their second rounds Friday in the afternoon.