Steve Stricker used seven birdies on his way to the 54 hole lead at The Barclays, the first time he’s been in this position since the last century.  His 65 sent him past second round leader K.J. Choi and into first alone.  In his last four events, two of them majors, Mr. Stricker has shared the lead or been a shot behind only to come undone.  His last event, the PGA Championship, his putter, of all things let him down. 
"One of these times, it’s going to come out in my favor," said Stricker, whose 14-under 199 tied the 54-hole tournament record.

Mr. Choi allowed all kinds of folks back into the tournament when his driver let him down on the back nine.  A birdie birdie finish salvaged a 70 and share of second place.  The round of the week belonged once again to Hunter Mahan, who tied a tournament record for the second time in five weeks with a stellar 62 that left him tied for third with Rich Beem.

Mr.Beem is perhaps the most desparate of the contenders, he has to finish in the top 10 in order to advance in these playoffs.  The first eight holes it appeared Mr. Beem was in the process of packing his bags, however an eagle at the ninth righted his game and he finished with 69.  "It’s going to be fun for me," Beem said.  His round might have been even better had he not left his last two wedge shots outside 30 feet.  "But I can’t complain about anything," Beem said. "I played some pretty good golf today."

Geoff Ogilvy had a 69, four shots behind Mr. Stricker along with Woody Austin , whose name keeps popping up on leaderboards, and first and second round leader Rory Sabbatini.  Steve Flesch, Kenny Perry and Ernie Els were another shot back at nine under par.  So there are ten players within five shots of the lead.

Mr. Stricker has had a marvelous year to this point, considering he lost his card in 2005.  He was comeback player of the year in 2006, not an award you necessarily want to ever be in consideration for but, if it happens then one that becomes an acceptable achievement.  Not having won since 2001, he’s managed to make the President’s Cup team for the first time in eleven years and placed himself in contention numerous times this year.  "I haven’t been beating myself up about not winning any of those events, but obviously, I would like to win," Stricker said. "It’s been a long time since I’ve won, and I’m just going to try to bring as many positive thoughts to the table tomorrow as I can."

As for Mr. Mahan, he’s not finished outside the top 25 all year, and of his nine birdies yesterday none was outside of twelve feet.  Can you say "dialed in".  Talk about pitching darts, that’s closer to sticking the ball into your pocket and just casually dropping it on the green.  "I just tried to keep playing good and give myself a ton of opportunities, and made some," Mahan said.  How’s that for understatement of the week? 

If any of the top seven heading into today’s round claim the trophy they also receive, as an added bonus, the lead in the Fedex Cup race.  Of course, the caveat with that comes the reality that one Mr. Tiger Woods has yet to tee it up.  Enjoy it while you can fellas.

Disclaimer:  I am an unabashed fan of Wisconsin golfers, so if it ever appears I’m playing favorites it’s because I am and fully intend to do so going forward.  Anyone who choses to winter in a land where you have to plug your car in so it will start( which also makes it unfit for human habitation so I’m attempting to get the federal government to come rescue us the next time it dips to 30 below zero) is a crazy person I can relate too.  You haven’t lived until you’ve hit the range with snow on the ground.  Hooray for Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker, great golf games; questionable sanity.