Skip to main content

Stricker streaks clear as records tumble

Steve Stricker shot a 62 at the John Deere Classic on Saturday to break to 54-hole PGA Tour record.
Steve Stricker shot a 62 at the John Deere Classic on Saturday to break to 54-hole PGA Tour record.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • American Steve Stricker breaks 54-hole PGA Tour record after third round 62
  • Defending champion's three round total of 188 breaks previous record by one
  • Stricker needs a final round 65 to beat record held by Tommy Armour III
  • 43-year-old also needs six birdies on Sunday to break PGA Tour record for most birdies
RELATED TOPICS
  • Steve Stricker
  • Golf
  • PGA Tour

(CNN) -- American Steve Stricker will take a six-shot lead into the final round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois after shooting a nine-under par round of 62.

The defending champion's 25-under par total of 188 is the lowest 54-hole score ever recorded on the PGA Tour and beats the record of 189 held by John Cook, Mark Calcavecchia and Tommy Armour III.

After breaking the 36-hole total on Friday, Stricker can now set his sights on the 72-hole record of 254 set by Armour III in 2003 at the Valero Texas Open at La Cantera, a par-70 course.

A final round of 65 on Sunday will give 43-year-old Stricker the record.

"Anytime you set a record it's a nice thing to do. It's cool and something you can reflect on later in life," Stricker said, AFP reported.

Striker who shot an opening round of 60, followed up with a round of 66 on Friday. He has birdied 27 of the 54 holes played so far, giving him a chance to break the PGA Tour record of 32 shared by Mark Calcavecchia and Australian Paul Gow.

Paul Goydos, who shot only the fourth score of 59 in PGA Tour history in Thursday's opening round finished Saturday's round with a four-under par 67.

He shares second place with Jeff Maggert, who despite shooting a faultless round of 63 found himself even further behind Stricker than when he started the day.

Australia's Matt Jones carded a third round 66 leaving him in sole possession of fourth place, but nine strokes adrift of the lead.

Former PGA Champion Shaun Micheel is a shot further back in fifth place on 15-under par. His third round 63 saw him jump ten places up the leader board.

Creamer leads rain-disrupted U.S. Women's Open

American Paula Creamer has opened up a three stroke lead at the U.S. Women's Open at the Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania.

Creamer, who is currently one-under par, had completed 13 holes of her third round when bad light halted play on Saturday after heavy rain had disrupted Friday's second round.

"I played really consistent -- I stuck to my game plan," Creamer said, AFP reported.

"If I hit a lot of greens, I know birdies will come. I know every par I won't lose ground, so I keep going with that mindset. I was trying to stay at patient as I can," Creamer added, AFP reported.

Her compatriot, Wendy Ward is second on two-over par after completing 17 holes of her third round on Saturday. Norway's Suzanne Pettersen lies third at three-over par after completing 14 holes.

Fifteen-year-old Alexis Thompson is the third round clubhouse leader. Her one-under par round of 70 left her with a three round four-over par total of 217.

She currently is in a tie for fourth with South Korean Amy Yang and American Brittany Lang who still have to finish their third rounds.

First round leader, Sophie Gustafson slipped back down the field on Saturday and is currently in a tie for 11th place.

World number one Cristie Kerr is currently five-over par after completing 14 holes of her third round leaving her in a tie for seventh place.