I have a 2004 John Deere Lawn Tractor LT160. Since new my starting procedure was to
Place the throttle in the choke position and crank the engine until it started. Usually
Engine turned over about twice before starting. Afte starting, I immediately brought the
Throttle back to the run position.
Recently all of this has changed. Now the engine will not start in the choke position, however, in order to get it to start, I have to place the throttle in the choke position
And turn the erngine a couple of times, then move the throttle to the slowest position and
Continue to crank the engine many many times before it starts.
Can you tell me what may have happened and how it can be corrected.

Sounds like you are getting flooded by too much gas in the choke position. I'd remove the barb bowl, clean it and check the needle valve for proper operation. When you depress the needle valve it should totally stop any gas from entering the carb. Might check the float too to be sure it has not absorbed any fuel and gotten "heavy."