BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Two-time defending champion Steve Stricker birdied the final two holes for a 7-under 65 and a one-shot lead over Ernie Els on Friday after the second round of the Regions Tradition, the first of five PGA Tour majors.
Stricker, who has won three of the last four times at Greystone, had four birdies and a pair of bogeys over the first six holes before passing Els at the end. A six-time winner last year, he is aiming for his first this season and got his wish to be in the final group for what he predicted would be “a fun weekend”.
Stricker said he’s not dwelling on the opportunity for a three-peat.
“I’m enjoying it here. It feels good to be around here,” he said. “I’m just trying to, you know, that old cliché of just taking it one shot, one hole at a time. So get on with (Saturday).”
A World Golf Hall of Famer, Els shot a 68 in the second round. It was part of a six-way tie for first after Round 1 was completed earlier in the day after play was suspended due to bad weather on Thursday.
Els had four birdies and still no bogeys in the first 36 holes to keep pace with Stricker.
“Steve Stricker is obviously the king here right now,” Els said. “He’s won three or four times. He’s got the tournament record so he’s probably playing with him (Saturday) so I’ve got to keep pace with Steve and try to make him work hard for it. There’s always a lot of momentum going into this course, but at least we’re heading in a good direction.”
Steve Flesch, who had a bogey, went to 10 under with a birdie on 18 for a 69. He is a four-time winner on the 50-and-over circuit but has finished no better than 25th in seven events this year.
“I tried to be patient with how the year went, but the golf wasn’t as bad as maybe where I am on the Schwab Cup list indicates,” said Flesch, who finished 65th. “So maybe this is a good start for me to kick start my year a little bit, but I’m just happy to play two decent rounds and go into the weekend with a chance.”
Charlie Wi and Padraig Harrington were 9 under. Wee shot a 69, making two bogeys on the par 5, but closing on No. 18 with his fifth birdie of the round. The South Korean has two runner-up finishes but no wins in 33 PGA Tour Champions events.
Harrington had a more up-and-down day, carding four bogeys for a 70.
Kenny Perry (71) and Marco Dawson (70) were four shots back.