center to right guard to improve communication on the

ARDMORE, Pa. -- Adam Scott and Steve Stricker dont have much in common except for how infrequently they play golf tournaments. Scott began to scale back on his schedule two years ago, devising a plan that would help him practice more, play less and be ready for the biggest events. Stricker, who turned 46 in February, decided this year to spend more time at home in Wisconsin. The U.S. Open is only his seventh tournament this year, and he might only play three more. "I congratulated him on his semi-retirement," Scott said. "Welcome to the club." Stricker would love to part of another club to which Scott belongs -- a major champion. Since returning to the top of his game in 2006, he has given himself a couple of reasonable chances. Stricker was the 36-hole leader at Winged Foot in 2006 until a 76-73 weekend dropped him into a tie for sixth, three shots behind. He was tied for the lead after 63 holes at Oakmont a year later, only to shoot 42 on the back nine to tie for 13th. He also played in the final group at Carnoustie in the 2007 British Open. He tied the major championship record at Atlanta Athletic Club in the 2011 PGA Championship with a 63 in the opening round, though he couldnt keep it going. At 46, and playing a limited schedule, Stricker is running out of time. And thats OK with him. "Im kind of past that," he said Tuesday. "I think that the decision that I made earlier this year about playing less has taken some of the pressure off me. Im completely fine with my career and what Ive done. And dont get me wrong -- Im still very competitive and I still really want to win. I still want to play well. But Im just enjoying it. "Im enjoying coming out here and playing and not really having any expectations at all." He is far from a forgotten figure. He has a pair of runner-up finishes this year -- to Dustin Johnson at Kapalua and to Tiger Woods at Doral -- and is No. 13 in the world. He remains No. 8 in the Presidents Cup standings, so his form is not far off. What makes him intriguing at this U.S. Open is his wedge game. Stricker is vastly improved off the tee, turning that into one of his strengths. As for his putting? Not only is he regarded one of the best in the game, hes so good with the flat stick that even Woods sought him out for advice in March -- and then beat him to win the World Golf Championship at Doral. But its the wedge play that typically allows Stricker to set up birdie putts. And there are a lot of wedges to be struck at Merion, a course that starts and finishes with holes that are long and strong, and features a stretch of short par 4s in the middle where birdies figure to be made. "I like the setup," Stricker said. "Theres a lot of short irons when you get into certain parts of the course, but there are also a lot of long clubs into some of these holes. I think that still the advantage kind of goes to some longer hitters here, just because were not getting any roll in the fairway at all. But I like that theres a lot of short irons. Theres a good mixture of long and short. You dont really get to play to your medium game too much, unless they move up some of the tees on the par 3s." One thing he can count on is being fresher than anyone else in the field. Stricker hasnt played in a month. He tied for 37th in The Players Championship, where he was coming off another monthlong break since the Masters. Thats not to suggest hes been lounging around the house all day. "Im busier now than I ever have been for some reason," Stricker said. "I dont know what it is -- I guess kids. People know that Im playing less, so theyre asking me for things and to do things. Im staying extremely busy." Air Max 95 NZ . The Masters champion and winner of last weeks Australian PGA has a three-round total of 14-under 199 at Royal Melbourne. "Im in a really good position for tomorrow," Scott said. Air Max 95 Cheap Sale . Barcelonas entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals. http://www.cheapairmax95nz.com/ . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Cheap Air Max 95 Wholesale NZ . Collaros, 25, was solid last season, posting a 5-2 record as the starter while incumbent Ricky Ray was injured. Collaros also started Torontos 23-20 regular-season finale loss to Montreal — Ray didnt dress because the Argos had already clinched first in the East Division — but was one of three quarterbacks to play that day. Air Max 95 Cheap Wholesale . Batiste, who briefly signed with the Eskimos in 2006, has spent time with several NFL teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. OFFENSE Jalen Hurts, QB, AlabamaThe freshman quarterback led the Crimson Tide with 304 yards of total offense, throwing for 158 yards and rushing for 146.Helped the Crimson Tide overcome the largest deficit in school history (21 points) in a 48-43 win at No. 17 Ole Miss.Became the first Alabama quarterback to rush (146) and pass (158) for more than 100 yards since Tyler Watts in 2001. It was also the fifth most rushing yards by a QB in school history.Completed 19-of-31 passes without an interception while completing five explosive passes for 17 yards or more (45, 30, 22, 18, 17). He also accounted for seven first downs through the air.Produced eight rushes of 10 yards or more and seven rushes that produced first downs. DEFENSE Justin Evans, DB, Texas A&MEvans played safety against Auburn and recorded 12 total tackles with 10 being solo tackles.He had one tackle for loss of one yard and helped keep the Tiger offense limited throughout the game. SPECIAL TEAMS Eddie Jackson, PR, AlabamaReturned the first punt of his career 85 yards for a critical late-second quarter touchdown.The Crimson Tide had just cut Ole Miss 21-point lead to 14 points on a Calvin Ridley touchdown run and forced a quick 3 and out on defense. Jacksons 85-yard return with just 1:05 remaining in the half shrunk the Rebels lead to 24-17.He returned two punts in the game for 95 yards, for an average of 47.5 yards per return.Jackson also had two tackles and half of a tackle for loss at safety for the Crimson Tide in its 48-43 win at No. 17 Ole Miss.Josh Growden, P, LSU Just a redshirt freshman, had his best game as a Tiger averaging 49.2 yards on five punts.Boomed two punts of over 60 yards, including a career-best 65 yarder in first half.Crushed a 61-yard punt with 2:15 left in the contest and with LSU holding on to a 23-20 lead.The 61-yard punt came after the Tigers went 3-and-out at their own 17-yard line after MSU had pulled to within 23-20 with 17 unanswered points.Growdens punt sailed over the head of Mississippi State punt returner and flipped the field, as the Bulldogs were pinned inside their own 25-yard line to start their potential game-winning drive.ddddddddddddLSU forced State to turn the ball over on downs to secure the victory. FRESHMAN Trayveon Williams, RB, Texas A&M Williams, a true freshman, helped the Aggies clinch the road victory at Auburn with an 89-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to help the Aggies beat the Tigers, 29-16.Williams had 127 net rushing yards on eight carries and one touchdown for an average of 15.9 per carry.In addition, he caught three passes out of the backfield for 30 yards with a long of 17.Combined he had 157 all-purpose yards. OFFENSIVE LINE Frank Ragnow, OL, ArkansasMade his 16 straight start on the offensive line, but first start at right guard this season after moving from center.Head coach Bret Bielema moved Ragnow from center to right guard to improve communication on the right side of the line. The result was 226 yards on the ground and 241 yards passing. It marks the fourth time in the last 10 games Arkansas has had 200 yards rushing and 200 yards passing in the same game.Earned a career-best 92 percent grade.Sophomore running back Rawleigh Williams rushed for 121 yards and two scores. He is the only running back with at least 90 yards rushing all three games this season.Ragnow is a major part of the offensive line that has provided time for quarterback Austin Allen to lead the SEC in passer rating (160.91) and completion percentage (67.1).DEFENSIVE LINEArden Key, DE, LSUHad five tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, including a pair of sacks, in LSUs 23-20 win over Mississippi State.Added a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry as the Tigers limited the Bulldogs to 56 rushing yards.As a unit, LSUs defense recorded six sacks and held Mississippi States leading rusher Nick Fitzgerald to just 13 net yards, nearly 100 yards below his season average.The two sacks ran Keys season total to five, which leads the SEC. ' ' '