MADISON – The first two rounds of the American Family Insurance Championship at University Ridge Golf Course in Madison were defined by gusty winds, firm, fast greens and then steady rain that lengthened the field for the PGA Tour Champions Course.
As such, it made sense that one of the tour’s leading hitters and scorers – and one with two Open Championships on his resume – shot an impressive 8-under 64 on Saturday to share the second-round lead.
Four-time major champion Ernie Els finished his final seven holes at 6 under, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 16th, to break a stalemate and take a share of the tournament lead at 9 under. . .
“The whole day was kind of a chase,” Els said. “We were 1 under par (to start), I knew the leaders with the conditions, I felt like I needed to get to 8 under par, that was my goal. To be honest, the whole day was kind of a chase. I was trying to get birdies, trying to move up the leaderboard, whatever the cost. So the 16th was just one of those holes that really helped because the hole round was trying to chase, get as many birdies as I could.”
One of the many players Els initially passed was defending champion and tournament host Steve Stricker, who took notice and then stepped on the gas on the back nine with four consecutive birdies on holes 14-17 to propel him to a 66. , 6 under par at hole 14-17. day and equal Els at the top of the standings.
PGA Tour: Results of the American Family Insurance Championship
“I get a lot of support here,” Stricker said. “I feel that love from the first tee. And especially when I was able to finish like I did today, it made things a lot more fun and enjoyable, got me back into the tournament. For a while, I made bogey.” At 13 up the hill with a wedge in my hand, looking to make a birdie and I make a bogey, so I was 4 back at that point and I needed to make a good, strong finish and I did.”
Stricker and Els will start in the final group, along with David Duval (7 under par), at 10:52 a.m.
But, if Kelly has anything to say about it, he will defeat Els and Stricker to win his third AmFam Championship.
Stricker will enter Sunday’s final round with a great chance to tie Jerry Kelly as a two-time tournament champion.
“Yes, it depends on the weather,” Stricker said. “Tomorrow I saw winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour again, it could be another difficult day like Friday, but I guess we will have to wait and see what it gives us or brings us. You know, I’m going to have to get a good number “Ernie Els won last week and is playing well, so you will have to shoot well, but be smart depending on the weather.”
A day after a 3-under first round on Friday, a performance he said came with smoke and mirrors, Kelly backed it up with a substantial 3-under to stay in the hunt. He made five consecutive birdies on holes 11-15 on Friday and took advantage of that stretch again on Saturday with a birdie on the 14th and an eagle on the 15th.
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“I didn’t find much swing,” he said. “I had two triples, that’s not like me either. Without those two three putts and without making a couple of makeable putts, I’m there. The way I felt the last few days, with three putts Back to the last round, “I’m happy, I’m fine, I know I’m down, I just hope it’s tomorrow.”
Kirk Triplett (2016) and Fred Couples (2017) each came back from three strokes to win the tournament in their respective years.
Kelly, who is playing under treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, will be paired with Tim O’Neal (6-under) and Chris DiMarco (5-under) at 10:41 a.m.
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“I mean, it has to be at least 7 (-under par), probably 9, which is doable with this,” Kelly said. “But the other thing is there could be flurries, you know, 25, 30 flurries in different directions. Once that happens, all bets are off. If I can hit my ball onto the greens and warm up with the putter, then any thing can happen.”
For his part, Els, who won last week in the Principal Charity Classic, knows what he is up against with Stricker and Kelly in the hunt.
“I’m in a good position,” Els said. “There are a lot of guys up there. Depending on the conditions, you will have to get a good score. Stricker will still be the man to beat tomorrow, going with the crowd and everyone. I don’t know how Jerry is playing, but there are a lot of really good players up there. “We just have to do what we have to do.”
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Skip Kendall of Fox Point, who is making his first start of the year on the PGA Tour Champions, shot an even-par 72 to remain at 2 under par for the tournament. Kendall no longer plays regularly, but instead teaches at schools in Orlando and Palm Coast, Florida.
“I probably played just as well, I just didn’t make the putts I made (Friday),” Kendall said. “I had many opportunities. You know, I didn’t play badly. “I always felt like I had one of those straight putts that was going to go one way or another and I guess I was wrong.”
University of Wisconsin alumnus Mario Tiziani also shot 72 and is 1 under par for the tournament.
“I’m playing well, I hope to play well (Sunday),” Tiziani said. “If I can get something 5, 6, 7 under par, that would be fantastic, it would be a great finish. Take a week off and get ready for, hopefully, Dick’s (Sporting Goods Open next week) and then Senior (US) Open.”
Fox Point pro Michael Crowley shot 2-over 74 and is 6-over for the tournament.
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