Silvis, Ill. • Troy Matteson shot a 5-under 66 Saturday to take a three-shot lead into the final round at the John Deere Classic.

Steve Stricker, who also shot a 66, sits in second place at 15 under in his quest for a fourth straight tournament title. Stricker birdied four straight holes beginning at the 14th, but bogeyed the par-4 18th, stubbing a chip shot and missing a 15-footer for par.

Both Matteson and Stricker bogeyed the last hole, setting up their final-round pairing together at TPC Deere Run, where Stricker, a Wisconsin native who was an all-American at Illinois, has become a local favorite by winning the last three years.

Former Masters champion Zach Johnson also carded a 66 to climb into contention at 14 under, along with left-hander Brian Harman.

Billy Hurley, J.J. Henry and 2006 champion John Senden are tied for fifth, five strokes behind. Hurley's 64 matched the best round of the day, while Senden eagled the par-5 second hole en route to a bogey-free 67.

"It's great for me if I win," said Matteson. "If Stricker wins, it's a really big story."

Stricker is attempting to join Tom Morris Jr., Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen and Tiger Woods as a winner four straight times in the same tournament.

U.S. Senior Open

Bernhard Langer has surged into the lead at the U.S. Senior Open in Lake Orion, Mich.

Langer shot a 6-under 64 on Saturday to move to 10 under for the tournament, putting him ahead by four strokes.

The two-time Masters champion opened with three straight birdies and eight in 12 holes. The 54-year-old Langer had a double bogey at 13 and a bogey at 18 to give the field a glimmer of hope Sunday.

Tom Lehman and Corey Pavin were in a five-way tie for second at 6-under 204. —

Leaderboard

John Deere Classic

Troy Matteson -18

Steve Stricker -15

Zach Johnson -14

Brian Harman -14