Sizzling Stricker strikes again at John Deere

As he chatted about his day at the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill, Steve Stricker was reminded that he now held the tournament's 36-hole record.

"So far," he said with a smile.

Stricker had good reason to be cautious because Paul Goydos, who had sent a buzz through the golf world by shooting only the fourth 59 in PGA Tour history on Thursday, was just starting his round.

But the deft putting touch that had put Goydos in golf's most exclusive club deserted him Friday and he settled for a 68, leaving him 1 stroke behind Stricker, the defending champion, heading into Saturday's third round.

"Reality kicked in today," Goydos said.

Stricker, who almost matched Goydos with a 60 in Thursday's round, came back with a solid 5-under par 66 for a two-day total of 126, which is 16 under at the TPC Deere Run. The old 36-hole record was 127 by David Frost in 2000, the first year the tournament was played at Deere Run.

Showing no ill-effects from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for six weeks earlier this year, Stricker overcame a bogey on his fifth hole with accurate approaches that left him with makeable birdie putts.

"It's always tough to follow up a good round with another good round and for whatever reason, I thought I did a pretty good job of that today," Stricker said.