Steve Stricker wanted to play well in the Masters Tournament after a four-year absence.

Steve Stricker picked up two strokes on the leaders Saturday. Stricker said he felt relaxed because playing the weekend was "just a bonus" after missing the cut two consecutive years. (Rainier Ehrhardt/Staff)

Perhaps too much so.

The past two years, the Wisconsin native tried to prove his world ranking on golf's ultimate stage. But the pressure he put on himself was too much to handle. In 2007 and 2008, Stricker slammed his trunk after 36 holes.

"I've wanted to play so well here each time," he said. "But I'd just get in my own way." Stricker changed up his routine this year. No parents. No in-laws. It's just him; his wife, Nicki; and their oldest daughter, Bobbi, 10.

The switch worked, because now the 42-year-old is playing his best golf at Augusta National Golf Club.

With 4-under-par 68 on Saturday, Stricker is right in the thick of the green jacket chase. At 7-under, he's in fifth place, four shots off the pace set by co-leaders Angel Cabrera and Kenny Perry.

"I like being in a position where I've got nothing to lose," Stricker said. "I can go out there and maybe be a little more aggressive at times and try to make some birdies and put some pressure on the leaders."

Stricker, No. 12 in the world, began the day six shots off the lead after rounds of 72-69. He turned in a bogey-free performance Saturday, one day after making just his fourth Masters cut in nine appearances.

"I felt a little more comfortable today, because this was just a bonus," said Stricker, whose best Masters finish is a tie for 10th in 2001. "I was really relaxed."

Stricker, seeking his first major title, has found his touch around the greens. One of the tour's best putters, he struggled on the greens the past two years. This year, his putting has improved each day. Stricker needed just 24 putts Saturday, the fewest of any player during the third round.

"I made the cut finally. I'm playing on the weekend," he said. "I just feel more comfortable, and it showed in my putting. I stroked the ball really well today. I made some good putts today, made a couple of good saves early on. It kept me going."

Stricker said he didn't feel comfortable with his swing early, but he managed to get to 1-under through five holes. At the 175-yard par-3 sixth, he fired a 7-iron to three feet for birdie. He followed with another birdie at No. 7.

From there, Stricker grinded his way around the course. He two-putted from the fringe at the long par-4 11th hole. He got up and down at No. 12.

Later, he finally gave himself another birdie chance. Stricker knocked a 9-iron to 10 feet at No. 17. He rolled that in to get to 7-under and make today interesting.

"I just wanted to have fun with it and not put so much pressure on myself," Stricker said. "Usually I'm not here.

"It's a great place now, isn't it?"

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.