An overused phrase on the PGA Tour but totally applicable when Steve Stricker plays the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run.  He has won this event the last three years and if he wins it again this year I think they may just have to change it to the Sticker Invitational.

Last year he won the event in electrifying fashion on the last hole extricating himself from a brutal stance in a fairway bunker and then making a bomb putt from off the green for the winning birdie.

(Click here to see read the moegolf account and see a video of his amazing shot)

In Thursday’s opening round Stricker did not disappoint.  After shooting lackluster par on the front nine he answered with 30 on the back including four birdies and an eagle on #14, jarring a wedge from 80 yards out.  His 65 positioned him nicely a couple of furlongs back of Troy Matteson who shot a sizzling 61 out of the gate.  I like Stricker’s position coming around the first turn.

July, 2012