Ernie Els shot a blistering six-under-par over the final seven holes on Saturday to share the lead with Steve Stricker after two rounds of the American Family Insurance Championship at Madison, Wisconsin.

Els reached eight-under 64 and Stricker carded a 66 as the duo had nine-under 135 totals after two trips around University Ridge Golf Course.

David Duval is in solo third at 137 after shooting 68. Tim O’Neal (68 on Saturday) and Jerry Kelly (69) were three shots back in a tie for fourth.

Els made three birdies on the front nine before a bogey at 10. He then got hot with birdies from 12 to 14, an eagle-three at 16 and a birdie at 18 to close his round.

Els is looking for his second straight victory after prevailing at the Principal Charity Classic last week.

“When you’re playing well and you have confidence, you know, things happen,” Els said. “If I’m not winning, there might be a bit of doubt here and there, but when you’ve won, the hole feels a little bigger sometimes and a bit more comfortable than trying to search for it all the time.

“I’m definitely going off last week. I’ve been playing good for a month now, so I’m just trying to put one foot in front of the other.”

Stricker, serving as tournament host, also finished strong with four straight birdies from 14 to 17. He also had four birdies on the front nine and bogeys on four and 13.

Duval had five birdies and one bogey (on five) in his second straight solid round. Four of his birdies came on par-five holes. Duval’s strong play in Madison is a vast improvement over the last two years at this event. He tied for 54th in 2022 and 45th last year.

Kelly moved closer to the lead with an eagle on the par-four, the 15th. He also had three birdies and two bogeys.