Stricker in Position to Win Again at John Deere

Two-time defending champion Steve Stricker shot a flawless round of eight under par on Saturday to head into Sunday's final round of the John Deere Classic with a two stroke lead.

The #1 ranked American golfer followed up his earlier rounds of 66 and 64 with a bogey-free 63 to reach 20-under par with the kind of spectacular golf that could well bring him a third consecutive triumph in the Silvas, Illinois event.

"I feel pretty relaxed out there to tell you the truth, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow," Stricker said.

Overnight leader Chez Reavie slipped back to outright third place at 17-under after overcoming a bad start to his round. He bogeyed the sixth and eighth holes but made birdies in four of his last six to finish a shot clear of fellow American Kyle Stanley and three behind Stricker.

"It's hard enough to win an event three times let alone three in a row so it'll be tough tomorrow," Stricker said.