GOLF

GOLF

Saturday’s other events

PGA Tour Deere Classic

SILVIS, Ill.

Steve Stricker has assumed a familiar spot atop the John Deere Classic leaderboard, shooting an 8-under-par 63 to go up by two strokes after three rounds. Stricker knocked in a 75-foot birdie putt on the first hole and went on to post his best round of the year while closing in on his third straight victory in the tournament. He’s at 20-under 193 following a par on save on 18, where he twice hit into bunkers before drilling a 15-foot putt. Zimbabwean Brendon de Jonge is alone in second at 195 after matching Stricker’s 63. Second-round leader Chez Reavie, who started the day two strokes up on Stricker, shot 68 and was 17 under, one ahead of Kyle Stanley (65).

Champions Tour First Tee Open

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif.

Jay Haas shot a 7 under 65 and took a two-stroke lead over three other players after two rounds of the First Tee Open. Haas, who owns 14 Champions Tour titles but is winless since 2009, had seven birdies, including three of the four par-5s, and played bogey free to get to 11 under 133. That was in stark contrast to his opening round when Haas birdied six of the first nine holes to take an early lead before falling back with a pair of bogeys on the back nine. Mark Brooks (64), Bobby Clampett (66) and Brad Bryant (68) are at 135. First-round leader Russ Cochran (71) is among five players tied at 136.

Associated Press