Stricker claims John Deere title

Steve Stricker cruised to his second PGA Tour title of the year as he won the John Deere Classic by three shots.

Stricker had catapulted himself into contention by tying the course record with a 10-under par 61 on Saturday, and followed that up with rounds of 68 and 64 Sunday as time was made up for a lost day’s play on Friday.

No one could keep up with that place as three players, Zach Johnson, Brandt Snedeker and Brett Quigley tied for second place.

Tim Petrovic came the closest, and was two strokes behind Stricker as he headed to the tee of the 18th.

But he find the water and had to settle for a double-bogey that dropped him into a three-way tie for fifth place alongside Matt Jones and JJ Henry.

Quigley, who qualified for the British Open with the share of second place, had shot 62 in the morning but could not repeat that in the afternoon as he carded a 67.

Overnight leader Darron Stiles struggled in his final two rounds, carding a 70 and a 71, to fall back into a tie for ninth place.

Quigley later confirmed he does not intend to take up his place at the Open, allowing it to pass to Thomas Levet.