Stories of fading hopes for the "Stricker Slam" may have been a bit premature. Steve Stricker, searching for his fourth consecutive John Deere Classic victory, has four birdies on his back nine, three in a row from Nos. 14-16, to move to 15 under, just two shots behind leader Troy Matteson. He heads to the 569-yard par-5 17th tied for second place with Brian Harman. Stricker has birdied the 17th in each of the first two rounds. UPDATE: Stricker picked up a fourth consecutive birdie on No. 17 to move within one of the lead.