The Golf Watch

Stricker's love for home is admirable

Inundated with golf clips sent by readers the past few weeks, I finally got around to reading Dave Shedloski's cover story on Steve Stricker from February 22.

Shedloski spends some time with Stricker in Wisconsin, where the world's second ranked player still lives despite the frigid conditions. 

The story made me appreciate Stricker's personal life--his dedication to his home and family.

These days, you assume that any PGA Tour golfer who was raised in a cold weather environment has already made the move to Florida, California or Arizona.

But not Stricker.

His wife said the following about the time he spends hitting balls off of mats in the snow:

"He tells me all the time he doesn't know where the time goes," Nicki says. "It's like he gets in his own little bubble there, and he needs that." 

Don't get me wrong, players like Zach Johnson who have moved to a warmer climate still maintain a close connection to their hometowns.

It's just nice to hear a story about a PGA Tour player who still enjoys coming back home each winter to freezing temperatures with snow on the ground.

Steve Stricker--a worthy champion

Reminiscent of his win in 2007 at The Barclays, Steve Stricker broke down behind the 18th green after winning the second leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs.  TPC Boston fans have embraced Stricker all week long, and why not?

Stricker is a golfer that fans can relate to.  Like anyone in your average foursome, Stricker faced the yips for several years.  He fought off the shanks, and became a better player because of it. 

Unlike many Midwesterners who have houses in Florida, Stricker has been committed to staying in Wisconsin, even during his off-season.  Hitting balls in the snow...why not?

Looking at the twitter feeds of a number of PGA Tour players, Stricker's win was a popular one.  It moves him up to second in the world rankings.

Eun Hee Ji at Saucon | Stricker with another win in '09 | Kaymer 2 in a row

Another relative no-name in Eun Hee Ji won the U.S. Women's Open., but wasn't the climactic finish a good distraction after a week of speculation regarding Carolyn Bivens and the LPGA?

Steve Stricker played 36 brilliant holes on Sunday at the John Deere to capture his second win in 2009. Off to Turnberry...

Martin Kaymer won for the second straight week on the European Tour and now moves up to 11th in the world.  He'll continue to fly under the radar here in the States as he leaves Loch Lomond for Turnberry. 

D’oh! Clark and Funk lose in devastating fashion

It is becoming clearer with each runner-up finish (seven in total) that Tim Clark just can't get the job done on Sunday.  We saw Phil Mickelson struggle for years at the majors, and it's a shame that this guy can't break through on your average Tour stop.  Clark missed a 9-footer on the last hole and a 7-footer on the first playoff hole that would have clinched the tournament.  Looks like that label of best player never to have a won a Tour event will stick with him for the time being.  Here's the full story of Steve Stricker's triumph at Colonial. 

And for those of you who didn't catch it, Fred Funk's loss to Mark McNulty in a playoff at the Principal Charity Classic might have been just as cruel of a defeat.  Funk had two lipouts during the playoff, including one that pulled one of those nasty 360's.  Curt Byrum's call of "that was downright rude" summed it up pretty well.  Here's the full story.

Chopra shoots up world ranking to 61, Stricker now 3rd

Daniel Chopra jumped 59 places to 61st in the world golf ranking because of his win yesterday at the Mercedes-Benz Championship.  In other news, Steve Stricker pulled ahead of Jim Furyk and Ernie Els with his second place finish at Kapalua, and is now third in the world.  Stricker, who has never been ranked this high before, could catch Phil Mickelson for the second spot by year's end. 

Stricker continues to play well in the new year

Even though Steve Stricker didn't win the Mercedes-Benz Championship, he proved that he will continue to be a major contender in 2008.  Stricker fired a round of 9-under 64, tied for lowest of the week, that included an eagle on the par-4 12th, seven birdies, and no bogeys.  When Dottie Pepper of The Golf Channel asked Stricker what was going through his mind after his second place finish, he responded: "A little disappointing, but very happy the way I played this week.  The first 9 holes I didn’t get off to a very good start for this tournament and was kind of behind the 8-ball.  But from then on I played real solid and came up a little short.  But again, building blocks for me.  So, going in the right direction."  Stricker played his first eight holes at Kapalua 3-over-par, and played the rest of the tournament at 21-under.  He will compete at this week's Sony Open.   

Baddeley, Stricker lead after third round

Aaron Baddeley was able to hold on to his lead at the BMW Championship on Saturday, but now has company.  Baddeley improved on his overall score of 9-under-par with a 6-under 65.  But Steve Stricker, who is ranked second in the FedEx Cup standings, fired a 7-under 64, tying him for the lead.  "It was unbelievable, really," said Stricker to Mark Rolfing of NBC.  "I had a lot of good opportunities today.  I hit the ball solidly, drove it in play again in the fairway, and gave myself a lot of opportunities for birdies."   Tiger Woods trails by one stroke. 

Stricker is now ranked fifth in world golf ranking

With his win at The Barclays, Steve Stricker has jumped from 14th in the world golf ranking to fifth.  In addition, K.J. Choi's second place finish moved him inside the top-10 to number eight.

Stricker wins at Barclays, jumps to first in FedEx Cup standings

Steve Stricker birdied four of his last five holes on Sunday to win The Barclays, his first tour win since 2001.  With the win, Stricker  jumps from 12th to first in the FedEx Cup standings.  After the win, Stricker was emotional as he talked with Peter Kostis of CBS Sports.  Stricker said, "Thanks Peter, it was hard, but it was a lot of fun too.  That’s why we’re out here doing this.  I never knew if I was going to win again, but I’ll tell you what, this is sweet."  Second round leader K.J. Choi finished in second, two strokes behind Stricker.  Choi is now second in the FedEx Cup standings.  Stricker plans to play in the remaining three FedEx Cup events. 

Stricker shoots 6-under 65 to take third round lead

Steve Stricker has been one of the hottest players on tour this year without having won a tournament.  On Sunday at The Barclays, Stricker will have an opportunity to claim his first victory of the year, and jump into first place in the FedEx Cup standings.  Stricker, who is ranked 12th in the FedEx Cup standings, fired a 6-under 65 on Saturday to take a one stroke lead over second round leader K.J. Choi.  "It was a good day…I played solid today, all the way around," said Stricker to Steve Sands of The Golf Channel after his round.  Peter Oosterhuis said on the Sprint Post Game, "He’s played great golf.  He played great golf a number of years ago, and then really fell off the list.  It’s great to see him come back.  He’s a good solid guy, and it’s good to see him up top the leaderboard."  Stricker, Choi, and Hunter Mahan tee off at 1:10 p.m. ET.