Stricker vaults into 2nd at John Deere Classic

SILVIS, Ill. (AP) — Steve Stricker has vaulted into second place at the John Deere Classic, tying a course record and matching the lowest score of his career with a 10-under 61 Saturday that left him three strokes behind Darron Stiles through two rounds.

Stiles (65), the first-round co-leader with Lee Janzen, remained on top at 13-under 129. Stricker, however, stole the show on a sunny day at TPC Deere Run.

The Wisconsin native and Illinois alum had plenty of support from the crowd as he assaulted a course that was battered the previous day by the second big rain storm of the week, causing the second round to be pushed back. By the time he was through, he was at 10-under for the tournament after matching a record set by 2002 champion J.P. Hayes. That put him in contention for his sixth PGA Tour victory and second this year heading into the final two rounds.

“I didn’t see it coming,” Stricker said. “I warmed up very poorly on the range this morning. I spent some time out here yesterday later in the day and putted a lot and found a little catch there in my putting. I made a lot of great putts. I wasn’t very aggressive at times, but I hit the ball well and gave myself some opportunities.”

Tim Petrovic (67) and Jerry Kelly (64) were right behind Stricker at 9-under, and two-time U.S. Open champion Janzen (70) was in a crowd at 8-under. Kenny Perry (68) was 6 under, with Zach Johnson (68) 5 under.

With 36 holes scheduled for Sunday, the players are staring at a long day and a short break between rounds — if they get one at all — because they won’t be re-grouped.

“You may not be playing with the leader at all,” Stricker said. “The leader could be behind us, in front of us. You don’t know where they can come from.”