STEVE STRICKER IS CLOSING IN ON A THREE-PEAT AT THE JDC

The suspense is starting to fade, as Steve Stricker is closing in on a
three peat at the John Deere Classic.

Stricker raced from the starting blocks and never looked back, firing
a 8 under par 63 to take command. The assualt on Deere Run started
on the first hole, when Stricker actually to the shock of many found
a fairway bunker on the first hole. From there the two-time champion
as able to hit the green 75 feet from the pin.

Long putt, no problem for Stricker. You guessed it, he drained it and
the roar from the huge gallery following him was felt across the golf
course and from Silvis, into the four towns that comprise the Quad
Cities.

Stricker didn't stop there, he followed up on the par 5 second hole
with a mere birdie after making eagle in round 2. After a par on the
third hole, another birdie on number four gave him the lead. Question
is can anyone take it back from him.

Brendan de Jonge is tyring to stay close and so is Kyle Stanley only
tw and four shots behind Stricker. But one has to wonder if they
possess the firepower to go low enough to beat the King of TPC
Deere Run.

One reporter asked Tournament Director Clair Peterson if Stricker
will get John Deere stock with a three peat in hand. Peterson replied,
"we might have to find him some."

The final pairing of round 3, that included Chez Reavie and Steve
Marino could only be feeling the air being sucked out of their ballon,
everytime they could watch what was going on in front of them. But
with Strickers past history what they saw should not have been a
surprise. Reavie after a 3 under par 68 is 3 shots back, while Marino
shot himself out of the tournament with a 2 over par 73.

Illinois alum DA Points bid to make the British Open seems to have
been derailed when after two quick birdies, Points backed up and
settled for a one under par 70, leaving him several shots back of
the top 5. Which is where he needs to finish, as well as being the
low non-qualfier for the British open to get in the field at Royal St.
Georges next week.

Wisconsin native Mark Wilson now of Elmhurst, is doing a great job
of not making bogeys in the JDC. Problem is Wilson has three double
bogeys, including a a double on the short par 3 16th hole that took
the wind out of his third round charge.

TO HEAR BRENDON DE JONGE AND STEVE STRICKER
POST ROUND INTERVIEWS CLICK HERE:                       

Download | Duration: 00:03:07

Zach Johnson the favorite of Iowa, and John Deere Classic board
member stayed close with a 4 under par 67. He sits at 11 under
par for the tournament. But is still 9 shots back.

BIRDIES FOR CHARITY COUNT..Rd 3 303 week total 1858.