Stricker Hangs On at John Deere Classic

Sitting three strokes back of leader Darron Stiles, with two rounds of golf crammed into one long day obviously didn’t phase Steve Stricker one bit, as he followed up a course record 61 on Saturday with a third round 68, followed immediately by an impressive final round 64 to finish at 20-under for the John Deere Classic.  This was the Wisconsin native’s second victory of the season, but more importantly, the win gives him some much needed momentum heading into the British Open.

2009 John Deere Classic winner Steve Stricker. (Image: Zuma Press)

It took Stricker until the 6th hole of the final round to find himself tied for the lead with Zach Johnson at 17-under, after holing out his fairway shot for eagle.  The Illinois grad made it to 20-under on the par-5 17th, with a tap in birdie after almost nailing a 50-foot putt for another eagle.

Johnson, in the clubhouse at 17-under when Stricker caught him for the lead, ended up tied for second with Brett Quigley and Brandt Snedeker.  With his second place finish Quigley qualified for the British Open, but will pass, choosing instead to attend a memorial service in Indiana for golfer Chris Smith’s wife Beth, who was killed in a car wreck last month.

With the win, Stricker pockets $774,000 in prize money, and jumps to second in the FedEx Cup standings behind Tiger Woods.