Matteson clings to Illinois lead

Updated July 14, 2012 13:10:11

American Troy Matteson followed a blistering opening round with a less spectacular but solid second day to hold a one-shot lead at the midway point of the US PGA Tour event in Silvis, Illinois.

Matteson, who posted a flawless 10-under-par 61 to open the tournament, turned in another polished effort with a 3-under 68 on the TPC Deere Run lay-out, mixing four birdies with his only bogey through two rounds.

"If you told me I was going to get 13-under after two rounds I would have taken it and not even teed it up," Matteson said. "It was tough today."

Lurking one shot back are compatriots Brian Harman (65) and Jeff Maggert, who charged up the leaderboard with an error-free 9-under 62 that included five birdies over his last nine holes to get to 12-under.

Two behind the leader are Briton Gary Christian (66) and Americans JJ Henry (64), Robert Garrigus (66) and Ricky Barnes (67), who missed a chance to join Maggert with a bogey at his final hole of the day the par-four ninth.

Defending champion Steve Stricker, who is looking to become just the fifth men's player to win the same tournament in four consecutive years, sits one shot further adrift at 10-under after signing for a 4-under 67.

John Senden is the best-placed Australian in a share of 11th place, having recorded a 7-under 64 to be 9-under through two rounds.

Reuters

Tags: golf, sport, united-states

First posted July 14, 2012 13:09:01

View the original article here

Matteson keeps Illinois lead, Stricker charging

Updated July 15, 2012 14:38:11

Troy Matteson carded a 5-under-par 66 to take a three-shot lead after the third round of the US PGA Tour event in Illinois.

Matteson, who has sat atop the leaderboard since the opening round, began the day with a one shot cushion but increased his advantage with another steady effort in Silvis by mixing seven birdies with two bogeys.

The American was in position to grab a four-shot lead over Stricker heading into Sunday's final round but closed out with a bogey at the last to leave him on 18-under 195.

Stricker, looking to become only the fifth man to win the same tournament in four consecutive years, put himself in contention for another victory by closing with four straight birdies from the 14th.

But, like Matteson, Stricker also bogeyed the 18th to sign off with a 66.

"I don't know, I have a good time here, obviously a lot of good vibes going around here having won the last three years," said Stricker.

"Things start to happen for me here, I make some putts, pull out some shots here and there, a lot of good things happen but I don't know what it is.

"I just have to keep plugging, I have one more day and hopefully make another run at it tomorrow."

Young Tom Morris, Walter Hagan, Gene Sarazen and Tiger Woods sit in the exclusive club of men who have won a tournament in four consecutive years.

Lurking four off the lead at the Classic are 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson and PGA Tour rookie Brian Harman.

Johnson, winner of the Colonial Invitational and a runner-up at the Heritage and Players Championship this season, moved into contention for his second win of the campaign by also carding a 66 while Harman laboured to a two-under 69 to sit on 199.

"I expect Steve to play well here. Who wouldn't?" said Johnson. "We've both played well here so I don't think it'll be surprising if we both play well again four straight days."

Australian John Senden (67) and Americans JJ Henry (69) and Billy Hurley III (64) are five off the pace at 13-under.

Reuters

Tags: sport, golf, united-states

First posted July 15, 2012 14:38:11

View the original article here

Day continues strong form in Illinois

Posted July 8, 2011 12:10:00

Young Australian star Jason Day tuned up for the British Open with a 4-under-par 67 opening round at the US PGA Tour's John Deere Classic in Illinois.

World number seven Day could have been teeing it up much closer to next week's major championship by playing in the Scottish Open this week like five of the other world top 10 players.

But he opted to show loyalty to the John Deere Classic, which gave him his first professional start with an exemption as a little-known 18-year-old back in 2006.

It means he will get less practice time at Royal St George's early next week ahead of the British Open, but he did not mind.

And he continued the strong form that has seen him finish top 10 in five of his last six starts, including runner up at the last two majors - the Masters and US Open.

On a day of low scoring, American Kris Blanks led the way with a 63 on the 7,268-yard, par-71 TPC Deere Run course.

Cameron Percy was the leading Australian on 66, while Day's 67 was matched by countrymen Steven Bowditch, Greg Chalmers and Michael Sim.

-AAP

Tags: sport, golf, australia, united-states

View the original article here

Day continues strong form in Illinois

Posted July 8, 2011 12:10:00

Young Australian star Jason Day tuned up for the British Open with a 4-under-par 67 opening round at the US PGA Tour's John Deere Classic in Illinois.

World number seven Day could have been teeing it up much closer to next week's major championship by playing in the Scottish Open this week like five of the other world top 10 players.

But he opted to show loyalty to the John Deere Classic, which gave him his first professional start with an exemption as a little-known 18-year-old back in 2006.

It means he will get less practice time at Royal St George's early next week ahead of the British Open, but he did not mind.

And he continued the strong form that has seen him finish top 10 in five of his last six starts, including runner up at the last two majors - the Masters and US Open.

On a day of low scoring, American Kris Blanks led the way with a 63 on the 7,268-yard, par-71 TPC Deere Run course.

Cameron Percy was the leading Australian on 66, while Day's 67 was matched by countrymen Steven Bowditch, Greg Chalmers and Michael Sim.

-AAP

Tags: sport, golf, australia, united-states

View the original article here