CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO FROM STEVE STRICKER'S MEDIA DAY PRESS CONFERENCE:  

Download | Duration: 00:16:30

Stricker rolled in last Monday still recovering from a great win the day before in the
Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village (Jack's Place). Stricker had a three shot
lead on the back nine on Sunday, with six holes left to play. Then the sirens and the
rain came. When play finally resumed Stricker held on to win by one shot, but that
was enough to win.

But just winning wasn't enough for Stricker, who had to endure that two and half
hour rain delay before claiming the check and trophy from Jack Nicklaus. After
doing the post tournament interviews then flying home to Madison (WI.), and
getting in after midnight. Stricker woke up early, hitting the road by 6 AM and
drove to Quad Cities the next morning, almost three hours later there was that
putting clinic to do. The media session followed, Stricker was great as always
with all the questions.

Which is why Wisconsin Journal-Sentinel Golf Writer Gary Damato introduced
Stricker at the Masters dinner, where Stricker won the 2010 award for "player
who works best (or cooperates) with the media" named after a longtime golf
writer the late Jim Murray of the LA-Times. Stricker admitted he never thought
of canceling Monday, he knew his presence meant a lot to the John Deere
Classic and the community. It did.


STRICKER FIELDED QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS,BEFORE
CLAIR PETERSON TOOK THE PODIUM. 

Stricker answered a lot of questions in the press conference, and a bunch more in the
one-on-one sessions afterwards. Steve Stricker is the Gog Blog's "10 Questions With"
person of the week. Here is a sampling of some of those questions.

MEDIA..What makes this tournament so special for you.

STRICKER.."What makes it special. First off the ladies and gentlemen who run
this tournament, and the volunteers who help out from the whole community. What
they do is so important. The tournament reminds me a lot of how things were when
I first came on tour. Smaller communities got behind tournaments, and got together
for a cause and the charity dollars. This is one of my favorite places to play, not just
because I won the last two years, but I love the golf course and those pork chop
sandwiches walking up 16 sometimes."

MEDIA....Was winning the Memorial Tournament special too.

STRICKER.."Yeah that means a lot. For years you have seen Jack Nicklaus waiting
for the champion to come off the 18th green to shake his hand. You always think
how cool that would be, and it finally happened for me it was an unique feeling."

MEDIA...What about going for three in a row here at John Deere.

STRICKER.."It will be fun. I love the course and have some good feelings going
around here. You need to drive it well here and hit some good irons too. I hope
I have a chance come July to win it again."

MEDIA...What about other guys stepping up right now, with Tiger and Phil not
dominating.

STRICKER.."I know they are the biggest draws in the game. I tuned in to see how
they are playing. But other guys are taking advantage now, and the door is open
for other guys and that is good. Other players are gaining confidence knowing
it is wide open now. Guys know if they play well they can win, that's the carrot that
is dangling in front of all of us. Right now that is what guys are feeling."

MEDIA..How does it feel to be World #4, and highest ranking american player.

STRICKER.."I don't feel any different. I have been ranked as high as # 2 in the
world and in the Top 10 over the last few years. I really don't try and think about
it.I really want to text Tiger and say "where are you-what happened", but I don't
have the courage to do that yet. Seriously I do my own thing. I play my own game
and work on it like I do at home, and I am enjoying the ride over the last five years
since I turned things around and keep pinching myself."

MEDIA...Was it weird shooting an opening round 60 here last year, and not leading.
Or might it have been more weird for (Paul Goydos) to shoot 59 and only have a
one shot lead.

STRICKER..."That whole thing that transpired here has to be weird for (Goydos),
he shoots 59 and it's like I only have a one shot lead. I felt great and thought hey
I am right back in it. I would think it had to be harder on (Goydos) than it was for
me."

MEDIA ..With the long day and late day yesterday, did you ever think about not
coming here to day.

STRICKER.."No it didn't cross my mind not to come. I know how important this
day is, and getting this tournament off and rolling. We still need some volunteers,
and I feel the need to help. I admit if this event was in California today I might have
had to cancel, but  when it's right down the road in my backyard I feel like this is
home for me. Of course I will have Bobbi ( his 12 year old daughter) drive home
today (laughs)".

MEDIA..(GOG BLOG)..Steve what does it say about Illinois College golf that
Luke Donald who played at Northwestern is #1, and you from the University of
Illinois is #4. That up north guys can be very productive on tour."

STRICKER..."Mike Small has done a great job, Illinois finished Top 10 this year,
Northwestern won the NCAA in the last 10 years. Mark Wilson from Wisconsin
has won twice this year on tour, it can be done. The winter forces us away from
the game enough, so we refocus and recharge. I saw kids more talented than
me who lived in Florida, who played 365 days a year and are nowhere to be
found now. I think they just had enough of it, there is only so much one can do
with anything. So I think it's good for us, maybe not for everyone. But guys who
grew up getting away from the game are used to it, I think that's a good thing."

MEDIA..Talk about the putting clinic you put on for the First Tee kids.

STRICKER.."It 's nice to go to communities that have the First Tee or other
programs that involve golf, to get kids more interested in the game. Golf
teaches us many lessons along the way, it's been that way for me. If kids
stick with golf or any sport, sports teach many life long lessons along the
way. It was nice the kids came out today to be a part of this."

MEDIA..What's your schedule leading up to the US Open.

STRICKER.."I will get away from things for three days, and start hitting some
balls on Thursday and Friday. Practice on Saturday and head out on Sunday
to start getting some reps in on that course. I enjoy that course (Congressional)
it's an old style course, like any US Open you have to drive it well. Hopefully I
can carry that over from last week. You have to hit some good irons and get
up and down and make a few putts. The rough will be thick and it's a challenge,
but I enjoy that challenge one week out of the year. I am heading into it with
a lot of confidence."

MEDIA..What would it be like to win it.

STRICKER.."To win a major is at the top of my list right now. I know my window
of opportunity with age is dwindling a bit, but I am playing some good golf. I
still feel I have an opportunity or two left to win a major before my career is
over. Obviously winning the US Open would be pretty special. I've won at
some great courses too, right now I look back at the quality of tournaments
that I have won and that means a lot."

MEDIA...(GOG BLOG)..How do you shape up for the other two majors this
summer.

STRICKER.."I have never played at where the British is this year, Sandwich
(Royal St. Georges). The PGA in Atlanta the Atlanta Athletic Club, I played
there in 2004 when David Toms won. I made the cut but didn't do much.
However this time I feel my game is in such a different place than where it
ever was before, so I feel if I play my game I feel confident no matter where
we might go."

MEDIA..(GOG BLOG)..Are you thinking at all about being part of next years
Ryder Cup team at Medinah, it's right here in your back yard.

STRICKER.."It's in the back of my mind already. We earn points this year
in the majors and it would be special to be a part of that team. I'm happy
that yesterdays win I think, locked up a spot for me on this years Presidents
Cup Team."

STEVE STRICKER WILL DEFEND HIS TITLE AND TRY FOR A 3-PEAT AT
THE JOHN DEERE CLASSIC. Tournament week is JULY 4-10. For more
information...www.johndeereclassic.com.