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Former Illini Steve Stricker is No. 1 - and under pressure to win a major.

LOS ANGELES – In a tournament everyone expected him to win, Steve Stricker was trying not to lose.

Instead of firing at flags and trying to make birdies, which allowed him to build a 6-shot lead at Riviera, the former Illini suddenly found himself playing it safe and trying not to make bogeys. Instead of having a chance to break the 25-year-old tournament scoring record, he feared matching a PGA Tour record for blowing the biggest lead.

Former Illini drains seven birdies in second round at Norther Trust Open

HONOLULU — Ryan Palmer stayed calm in an ocean breeze and wound up with a 4-under-par 66 on Friday in the Sony Open for a 1-stroke lead over a group that included Chad Campbell, his practice partner before they came to Hawaii.
Palmer and Campbell, who live five minutes apart in the Dallas suburbs, spent last week in the California desert to get ready for the new season. The only difference is the gentle surf instead of cactus, and a lot more company.

KAPALUA, Hawaii — U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover returned to Kapalua and had another miserable start to the first round of a new PGA Tour season. The difference Thursday was how he finished. Former Illini Steve Stricker opened with a 73.

Jeff Huth's review and preview of all things Illinois

Tiger Woods was voted Male Player of the Year by the Golf Writers Association of America on Thursday by an overwhelming margin over former Illini Steve Stricker, with most ballots returned after Woods became embroiled in his scandal.
It was the 10th time Woods has won the award in his 13 years as a pro.

Former Illini hopes "everything works out for him"