Stricker holds nerve to grab Memorial triumph
Source: Agencies |
June 7, 2011, Tuesday
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STEVE Stricker clinched his 10th PGA Tour title by one shot at the Memorial tournament on Sunday after holding off a birdie barrage from his closest pursuers with an ice-cool display.
Three strokes clear going into the final round at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, the 44-year-old American birdied six of the first nine holes and then survived a few anxious moments after the turn on the way to a 4-under 68.
Following a lengthy weather delay, Stricker bogeyed the 15th after his drive sailed left into trees but did well to save par from the back bunker at the short 16th before dropping another shot at the last for a 16-under total of 272.
American world No. 7 Matt Kuchar emerged as the main challenger early on but ran out of holes as he closed with a 65 to share second place with compatriot Brandt Jobe (65).
American Dustin Johnson also carded 65 for fourth at 12 under, one ahead of Briton Rory McIlroy (68).
"It was a little bit of a struggle after we came out from the rain delay and at that point I'm just trying not to make a mistake," a smiling Stricker said greenside after being hugged by tournament host Jack Nicklaus.
"But I hung tough and holed a couple of crucial putts when I had to. It was pretty special walking off (18). He (Nicklaus) is a friend and it's truly an honor."
Stricker, who will climb four places to fourth when the world rankings are issued later yesterday, ranked his Memorial victory among the most meaningful of his career.
Great field
"It's right up there at the top, if it isn't (at the very top)," he said. "It's a great field, it's a great course and when you have Mr Nicklaus's name attached to it, it adds another element of importance."
In Newport, Wales, Sweden's Alex Noren won the Wales Open by two strokes on Sunday to claim his second European Tour victory.
The second and third-round leader was never threatened as he closed with a 1-under 70 for a 9-under 275 total, two better than Dane Anders Hansen and Frenchman Gregory Bourdy.
Although Noren hardly got into top gear over the first nine holes in soaking conditions at Celtic Manor's 2010 Ryder Cup course, his rivals never looked like catching him.
Noren's only other title came in the 2009 European Masters in Switzerland and after pocketing the $488,000 first prize the 28-year-old from Stockholm explained why it had taken so long to win again.
Sweden's 2010 Ryder Cup player Peter Hanson (72) tied for fourth place, three behind Noren, along with compatriot Johan Edfors, Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez and Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal.
Briton Elliot Saltman, banned earlier in the season for rules infringements, holed in one for a second time during the week at the same hole, the 17th. The ace helped him to a 69 and 3-under 281 for tied 12th place, easily his best performance in his rookie year.
Three strokes clear going into the final round at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, the 44-year-old American birdied six of the first nine holes and then survived a few anxious moments after the turn on the way to a 4-under 68.
Following a lengthy weather delay, Stricker bogeyed the 15th after his drive sailed left into trees but did well to save par from the back bunker at the short 16th before dropping another shot at the last for a 16-under total of 272.
American world No. 7 Matt Kuchar emerged as the main challenger early on but ran out of holes as he closed with a 65 to share second place with compatriot Brandt Jobe (65).
American Dustin Johnson also carded 65 for fourth at 12 under, one ahead of Briton Rory McIlroy (68).
"It was a little bit of a struggle after we came out from the rain delay and at that point I'm just trying not to make a mistake," a smiling Stricker said greenside after being hugged by tournament host Jack Nicklaus.
"But I hung tough and holed a couple of crucial putts when I had to. It was pretty special walking off (18). He (Nicklaus) is a friend and it's truly an honor."
Stricker, who will climb four places to fourth when the world rankings are issued later yesterday, ranked his Memorial victory among the most meaningful of his career.
Great field
"It's right up there at the top, if it isn't (at the very top)," he said. "It's a great field, it's a great course and when you have Mr Nicklaus's name attached to it, it adds another element of importance."
In Newport, Wales, Sweden's Alex Noren won the Wales Open by two strokes on Sunday to claim his second European Tour victory.
The second and third-round leader was never threatened as he closed with a 1-under 70 for a 9-under 275 total, two better than Dane Anders Hansen and Frenchman Gregory Bourdy.
Although Noren hardly got into top gear over the first nine holes in soaking conditions at Celtic Manor's 2010 Ryder Cup course, his rivals never looked like catching him.
Noren's only other title came in the 2009 European Masters in Switzerland and after pocketing the $488,000 first prize the 28-year-old from Stockholm explained why it had taken so long to win again.
Sweden's 2010 Ryder Cup player Peter Hanson (72) tied for fourth place, three behind Noren, along with compatriot Johan Edfors, Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez and Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal.
Briton Elliot Saltman, banned earlier in the season for rules infringements, holed in one for a second time during the week at the same hole, the 17th. The ace helped him to a 69 and 3-under 281 for tied 12th place, easily his best performance in his rookie year.
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