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HARRISON - Steve Stricker overcame a bogey at the first hole by firing seven birdies to claim a one-stroke lead over South Korean KJ Choi after the Barclays Classic third round.
The American, seeking his first victory in six years, began four behind overnight leader Choi but surged ahead with a six-under 65 for a 14-under total of 199.
"A win would mean a lot," said the 40-year-old Stricker, who has had two runner-up finishes this season and four other top-10s including a tie for eighth at the British Open.
"We're all out here to win and it's been six years. It would put an exclamation point on my year," he told reporters.
Choi (70) kept the lead until faltering with bogeys at the 13th and 15th.
Tied for third on 201 were 2001 US PGA champion Rich Beem (69) and fellow American Hunter Mahan, who shot a course record-tying 62 to vault up the leaderboard.
Mahan posted nine birdies in a bogey-free round to match the score carded at Westchester Country Club by compatriot Peter Jacobsen 25 years ago.
The 25-year-old Mahan has three of the nine 62s registered on the PGA Tour this year, including one at the Travelers Championship in Hartford where he won his first title.
"I felt like I was swinging great so I went out there and just tried to keep playing good and give myself a ton of opportunities," he told reporters.
Four strokes behind Stricker were countryman Woody Austin, South African Rory Sabbatini and Australian Geoff Ogilvy.
Justin Rose of Britain aced the 154-yard par-three 14th when his tee shot hopped backwards into the cup. He recorded a 70 for 208.
The Barclays is the opening event of the PGA Tour's new season-ending FedExCup playoff series.
The top 120 on the FedExCup points list advance to next week's Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston.
- REUTERS
