Stricker’s day

Home-state favorite Steve Stricker keeps feeling the love from U.S. Open fans.

He nearly gave them a final few holes to remember in the third round.

Stricker birdied three of four holes going into the par-5 18th. But his 9-foot putt to save par edged just short of the hole, and he had to tap in for bogey.

Stricker shot a 69 to move to 2 under going into the final round.

“Yeah, a little disappointing the way I finished there on 18. Really a solid day, though, all the way around,” Stricker said.

Stricker, who turned 50 this year, seems to be rejuvenated on the course. Now eligible for the PGA Champions Tour, Stricker is playing more this year than in recent seasons.

“Tomorrow will be fun and special, just going around here and being a part of this first U.S. Open here in Wisconsin,” Stricker said. “It will just be cool in itself.”