Stricker still leads in Texas

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May 30, 2009

Steve Stricker maintained his overnight lead by completing a two-round course record at the Crowne Plaza Invitational.

Steve Stricker completed a two-round course record at the Crowne Plaza Invitational in Texas today but it was only good enough to secure the American a one-stroke lead at the top of the leaderboard.
Stricker posted a new 36-hole record for the Fort Worth course, his 63 for a second day in succession ensuring the lead at 14 under.
But while his advantage at the head of the order looked dominant for a spell earlier in the day, by the close his lead had been whittled down by Tim Clark, who followed his 63 yesterday with a 64 today to heap pressure on Stricker heading into the third round.
Stricker’s two-round 126 broke the previous record by two strokes, but he admitted he would trade that accolade for the winner’s cheque come Sunday.
He said: “I’d rather have the trophy. We’re only halfway through. I’d like to keep making putts. That solves a lot of problems.”
He added: “I kind of like what’s going on right now.
“It was a lot of fun out there – again.”
South African Clark recovered from a bogey at the 481-yard par-four fifth to reel off six birdies and returned to the clubhouse with a solid total of 127 after two days played in perfect conditions at the Colonial Country Club.
Vijay Singh was a shot further back on 12 under.
The Fijian claimed birdies at the first, second, seventh, eighth and ninth to reach the turn in 30, but a lone birdie on the back nine was not enough for him to seriously
challenge Stricker’s supremacy.
Sean O’Hair is also in the mix heading into the penultimate day after his round of 64 took him to 11 under, while Jason Day was a shot further back after a round of 65.
Woody Austin was alone on nine under, one stroke ahead of Ryan Palmer.
Luke Donald posted a five-under 65 to move into the chasing pack on seven under, a score he shares with fellow Englishman Paul Casey, Kevin Sutherland, James Driscoll and Steve Marino.
Elsewhere, Masters runner-up Chad Campbell was forced to withdraw from the event due to a calf injury.
Campbell picked up the problem after just seven holes today, and withdrew with his score standing at five under having opened with a three-under 67 yesterday.
Click here for the full second round scorecard.