Golf

SILVIS, Ill. -- Steve Stricker followed one of his best performances with 36 solid holes to win the John Deere Classic by three strokes yesterday.

Stricker, who tied the course record Saturday, fired a 7-under 64 in the fourth round after starting the day with a third-round 68 to finish at 264 for the tournament. That was good enough to give him his second PGA Tour win this year and sixth in all.

Local favorite Zach Johnson (64, 66), Brandt Snedeker (68, 65) and Brett Quigley (62, 67) all tied for second at 17 under.

A tournament board director who grew up just over an hour away in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Johnson hadn't fared particularly well in seven previous appearances. His highest finish was a tie for 20th in 2004.

"Golf is a game of confidence," Johnson said. "It's a totally different golf course, but I'm hitting the ball solid and reading my lines."

CHAMPIONS

Langer's eagle seals the deal

BLAINE, Minn. -- Bernhard Langer chipped in for eagle on the 18th hole to win the 3M Championship, his second straight on the tour.

His 7-under 65 gave him a 16-under 200, one shot better than Andy Bean.

Scott Hoch (66) finished two shots back. Tom Kite shot his second 67 at the TPC Twin Cities to finish fourth. Nick Price, the leader after Round 2, shot a 1-under 71 to finish five back.

LPGA

Inkster expects quick resolution

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- The dispute between a faction of LPGA players and the commissioner could be resolved this week, and the tour's Board of Directors will look for an interim replacement while searching for a new commissioner, tour veteran and board member Juli Inkster said yesterday.

Inkster and nine other LPGA player directors penned a letter to the LPGA Tour's board calling for Commissioner Carolyn Bivens to resign.

The New York Times has reported that Bivens will step down after the U.S. Womens' Open concludes. Golf Digest reported that Bivens would be replaced as soon as this week.

Golfweek Magazine first reported that more than a dozen key players signed a letter saying the tour's woes cannot be blamed on a poor economy and that the LPGA needs a new leader to rebuild relationships with sponsors. The tour has lost seven tournaments since 2007.

There have been a number of controversies during Bivens' four-year tenure, including her proposed English-only policy for tour players.