Me and Steve Stricker at Kapalua

No. 6 -ranked Steve Stricker continues to lead at the Kapalua Plantation Course, at 20 under through 10 holes, good for a two-stroke lead over playing partner Jonathan Byrd on the final day of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

Stricker, a Madison, Wisc., resident, and I have exchanged pleasantries in the media room a couple of times this week. He noticed my Oregon shirt after Saturday's second round and Sunday he referenced my "O" hat.

After I asked him about his domination of holes 15-18 (he's 13 under on those 12 holes through three days), he smiled.

"And you're still wearing the Ducks hat, aren't you?," he said. "I'm just kidding you."

Yup, Stricker seems like a super nice, cool, down-to-earth fellow. He is an Illinois graduate, but big Badger fan.

He had a friendly discussion with current Oregon freshman and former Baldwin standout Cassy Isagawa when they met in a practice round last week before the Rose Bowl.

Of course, my Ducks beat Stricker's Badgers 45-38 in Pasadena last Monday.