Stricker bidding for fourth title in a row

USPGA TOUR: Steve Stricker needs to make a move if he is to guarantee himself a third successive Ryder Cup appearance – and there is every chance the John Deere Classic in Illinois will see him do it.

The 45-year-old, who partnered Tiger Woods at Celtic Manor and in last year’s Presidents Cup, is currently 13th in the American points race with a month to go.

But he now enters a tournament he is trying to win for a fourth time in a row and at which he has an average score of 65.33 in his last 12 rounds.

Winning again would enable Stricker to fly to The Open next week having equalled the feat achieved by Young Tom Morris at Prestwick in 1968-72 and also by Walter Hagen at the USPGA Championship, Gene Sarazen in the Miami Open and Woods at both Bay Hill and the Buick Invitational.