Holder Steve Stricker produced a spectacular eagle three on his way to a seven-under-par 64 and the early lead in the Barclays Classic second round on Friday. Stricker, whose 2007 win came across the Hudson River at Westchester Country Club, also registered five birdies for a 10-under 132 total at Ridgewood Country Club. “The course is in such good shape, that's why the scoring is good,” the American told reporters. “The greens are a little bit softer.” Stricker's eagle came at the third when his third shot from 70 yards flew past the hole before spinning back into the cup. Late starter Hunter Mahan, who opened with a 62 on Thursday, bogeyed his third hole, the par-four 12th, to slip to eight under overall in the first event of the PGA Tour's FedExCup playoffs. On 136 were 2007 US Open champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina (67) and American Dudley Hart (69). Kevin Streelman of the US was also six under through six holes. Spain's Sergio Garcia (67) and American Anthony Kim (67) were back on 137. Clarke eyes wildcard In the Netherlands, Darren Clarke's flawless six-under-par 64 earned a share of the second-round lead at the Dutch Open on Friday and sent his Ryder Cup wildcard hopes soaring. Six birdies helped Clarke finish with an eight-under total of 132, level with fellow Briton Robert Rock (64) and Swede Alex Noren (66). Sweden's Henrik Stenson (65) was tied for fourth place with Briton Ross McGowan (64) on 133. Clarke was also a wildcard selection for the Ryder Cup in 2006 when he won three points out of three. Now the 40-year-old from Northern Ireland is making another final push to be one of captain Nick Faldo's two picks after the last counting event, next week's Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. Stenson's second Cup appearance was guaranteed after his tied third place in the British Open and tied fourth at the US PGA Championship and he intends taking three weeks off before the match against the US in Kentucky from Sept. 19-21. Europe's final three automatic places are still in the balance. Dane Soren Hansen consolidated his 10th position in the Cup standings with a 69 for 134. Justin Rose, eighth in the table, recovered from a poor first nine to card a 69 for 136 while fellow Briton Oliver Wilson, in ninth spot, returned a 70 for 139. Germany's Martin Kaymer, outside the automatic places in 11th position, bogeyed two of the last three holes for a 66 and 138.
