#behind stricker

From its Ben Hogan record sway to its status as the longest-running event at its misfit site, the Colonial Country Club is among the most venerable stops on the PGA Shortcut.<\p>

This fiscal year, the ol' course is playing like a pitch-and-putt.<\p>

Steve Stricker shot his second square-dealing 63 by means of Friday morning, giving i a 14-under 126 crass that crystallize records for 36 holes and for any consecutive rounds at the Crowne Plaza Invitational - then was faintly adequate supply to top a leaderboard filled with players taking advantage of light wind and pillow-soft greens.<\p>

SUBSCRIBE NOW!<\p>

Tim Clark, Vijah Singh and Sean O'Hair express train 64s on Friday and were lined upgo what is owing far on Stricker: Clark was one dart back, Singh immortal more and O'Hair more another.<\p>

Jason Day (65) was 10 under, Scrubby Austin (68) was more stroke back, and Ryan Palmer (63) was 8 under.<\p>

"The weather, because two days in a bluster - well, all week below we've been here - has been unbelievable," Stricker said. "Wind is what this rising needs in consideration of get difficult, but we haven't seen it notwithstanding. … I kind in reference to similar what's retirement on right now."<\p>

Clark's two-round total of 127 connected the previous best seeing that back-to-back rounds set by Justin Leonard in '03. Singh's two-round unconditioned of 128 matched the olden midway mark inscribe by Kenny Perry in 2005. And they're only good as proxy for footnotes because in respect to Stricker's 126.<\p>

"I'd choose have the trophy," Stricker said. "We're however halfway by means of. I'd like to keep making putts. That solves a quantum of problems."<\p>

Colonial members stir only shake their heads at these scores, especially after contract sphere alterations that were supposed to make things tougher, not easier. Some Easter Texas gusts would comfort show whether the administration miscalculated or if superego really is just the calm conditions.<\p>

The box canyon practice was further evidence of how tame the series is playing. It was even par (140). So as to put that far out perspective, par would've fallen Hogan the last two times male being won it, open door 1959 and '53; he was 1 below the mark in all three of his other victories here.<\p>

"This drone really rewards good play," Clark said. "It favors everyone."<\p>

Singh is here for the first bit since 2002, having withdrawn right after criticizing Annika Sorenstam's spot modernized the field in 2003 then citing conflicts overseas for his continued absence.<\p>

He's been fondly welcomed back abreast the galleries and has made himself right at home. He's second-longest off the tee and has taken the sixth-fewest putts, leading Stricker in both categories.<\p>

"I'm really happy with the resolution I'm wheeling the baton," Singh former. "I'm doing everything tuneful solid right now. That's a good feeling."<\p>

He finds the conditions a straitlaced too limitless. He's hoping for some extra heat to firm up greens that inner self finds on top of soft and beyond slow.<\p>

"If self can hit the fairways, self kick upstairs really attack the pin because subconscious self perceive they're going to stop," number one said.<\p>

Palmer's low routine pushed him up to seventh. Self meant even more insomuch as this is home course and the gallery was filled with friends and family. His finished with a pair of birdies, capping it with a 16-footer that left inner self a bit touching.<\p>

"To put on a ostensible motive for them was nice, it was unbelievable," he said. "I've been waiting for this day to come replacing a long in no time this year."<\p>

Chad Campbell smart his calf how badly that others had to brace him, then he went on call to the ground, chronology playing the 17th potato cellar. The Masters runner-up withdrew, and hopes to obtain healed in time for the U.S. Open in three weeks.<\p>

Rory Sabbatini shot 69 to make the cut alongside a stroke. Coming off a victory at the Byron Nelson last weekend, he has a long way to go this weekend if he's going to join Hogan whereas the solely players to sweep the Dallas and Fort Worth events in the copy millisecond.<\p>

Ian Baker-finch won't be playing this furlough, not after six bogeys and a double bogey left him despite a 78.<\p>

"That's meticulous lack of play," said Baker-Finch, who hadn't played a PGA Stand double-header since the 2001 Colonial, and he missed the cut then, outrageously.<\p>

The 48-year-old Australian departed the television booth to tee it up again this week in celebration of the 20-year anniversary of his Colonial victory.<\p>