Aug 22, 2008 - 7:34 PM
0 shoutsPARAMUS, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Steve Stricker shot a blistering 7-under-par 64 to surge into the lead after Friday's second round of The Barclays.
The defending champion, Stricker put himself in position to secure another title after a bogey-free round which included five birdies and an eagle at the par-5 third hole, where he holed a shot from 67 yards
Stricker is 10-under 132 through 36 holes and holds a three-shot cushion over first-round leader Hunter Mahan.
"It is a good course. You've got to do a lot of good things," Stricker said. "The greens are tough. But I didn't think the scoring was going to be this low. And when Hunter goes out and shoots that 9-under round yesterday, it shows you that it is capable and it is out there."
Stricker, who has not won since the triumph in this event last year, started the day six shots behind fellow American Mahan, who signed for a 2-over 73 to drop to 7-under for the tournament.
Mahan got off to a fast start in the opening event of this year's FedEx Cup playoffs, firing a 62 on Thursday. However, he failed to build on his dominant position as conditions toughened in the afternoon and bogeyed three of his first eight holes and five overall Friday.
"Putts," said Mahan when asked the difference between his two rounds, although he also acknowledged the condition of the course at different times of the day. "No question, especially Thursday morning to Friday afternoon, it's a different golf course. The greens are definitely bouncy and firmer and definitely played tougher."
Angel Cabrera (67), Kenny Perry (67) and Dudley Hart (69) are tied for third place at 6-under. Perry got off to a blazing start with four birdies on the front nine, but bogeys at Nos. 12 and 13 stalled his momentum.
"The course is in such great shape," Stricker said. "I think guys are going to learn how to play it every day, and I think the scores could even get a little bit lower, to tell you the truth."
Sergio Garcia closed with consecutive birdies to finish off a 67, moving the silky, smooth Spaniard to 5-under 137 overall. He is joined at that number by Americans Anthony Kim (67) and Paul Streelman (70) and England's Paul Casey (71).
"There are some small targets, really small greens," Garcia said. "If you're hitting good iron shots, you're always going to be kind of inside 20 feet, and you feel like you can make a lot of birdies.
"Obviously, if you're struggling a little bit, you can miss a lot of greens."
Kim, a two-time winner in just his second year on the PGA Tour and an automatic qualifier for the U.S. Ryder Cup team, had been stung by a bee and suffered an adverse reaction to medication during his opening round of 70. On Friday, Kim provided the bite with five birdies, his only blemish coming at the par-3 eighth, his 17th of the day.
Casey, who started at the 10th tee, was disappointed to finish bogey-bogey, leaving him back where he started the day and ruing a tough afternoon spent on drying, quickening greens.
"The golf course, certainly in the last nine holes, I felt was very crispy, greens especially," Casey said. "The sixth green was toasty. I mean, it's glazed and very difficult to get the ball rolling consistently on those greens.
"But it's the same for everybody. I found the golf course yesterday morning was perfect and Steve Stricker has obviously found the same sort of set-up."
First prize is $1.26 million.
