SILVIS, Ill. — As well as he's been playing lately, Steve Stricker believes that even better days are ahead.

With his second straight victory in the John Deere Classic on Sunday, Stricker has two victories this year and another $792,000 in the bank. He can face the challenges in the British Open at St. Andrews this week with confidence.

At 43, Stricker has a good thing going. For starters, he's ranked No. 4 in the world.

"My confidence level has been building since 2006," Stricker said. "That season was a good season for me and it's progressively gotten better. I believe I'm a better player today than I was four or five years ago."

Ahead by seven strokes early in the round, he saw his lead over Paul Goydos dwindle to just two with five holes to play. But he maintained it the rest of the way, thanks to a critical birdie putt on No. 17, and closed at a 1-under 70.