Stricker wins 3rd straight Deere Classic
Source: Agencies |
July 12, 2011, Tuesday
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AMERICAN Steve Stricker drained a 30-foot birdie putt on the last hole on Sunday to win the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois, with a final round 69 and a total of 22-under-par.
Stricker also rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt at the 17th to win the tournament for the third year in a row, finishing one shot clear of his compatriot Kyle Stanley, who made a bogey at the final hole to miss out on a playoff.
It was the 21st time on the PGA Tour that a player won a tournament three years in succession. Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer were among those who have achieved the feat.
"It was an unbelievable week and an unbelievable finish. I can't really believe that it happened yet, to tell you the truth," Stricker said.
"It was just kind of a roller coaster day today... I feel very fortunate and very lucky to have won."
Stanley, a PGA Tour rookie, moved into contention thanks to a superb run after the turn that featured five birdies from six holes.
Stanley, playing in the group ahead of overnight leader Stricker, led by two strokes with two holes to play but could only manage a par at the par-5 17th, then bogeyed the last with a 10-foot putt that lipped out after he had driven into the trees.
Stricker, the world No. 5, had lost his lead with bogeys at the 15th and 16th, but recovered in spectacular fashion to win the title for the third year running.
On the 18th, he hit his drive into a fairway bunker but, after some hesitation over his club choice, still found the back fringe of the green with a superb approach before sinking the long birdie putt.
"Believe or not, I was thinking three and that is why I went back to the six iron," Stricker said.
"I finally got a good stance in there. I thought I could pull that shot off but to make that putt is a bonus obviously. What a day."
The victory gave the 44-year-old Stricker his 11th PGA Tour win and his second of this year following his triumph in The Memorial last month. It was an agonizing end for Stanley, who closed with a 66 and would have become the fifth rookie to win on the Tour this year, but he had little time to reflect on the loss after booking the final spot in next week's British Open at Royal St George's, and was due to catch the same overnight flight as Stricker.
"It's great. I'm very excited to go over there and play," he said. "But I'm still trying to calm down from that round."
Canada's Matt McQuillan and American Zach Johnson tied for third at 17-under.
Stricker also rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt at the 17th to win the tournament for the third year in a row, finishing one shot clear of his compatriot Kyle Stanley, who made a bogey at the final hole to miss out on a playoff.
It was the 21st time on the PGA Tour that a player won a tournament three years in succession. Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer were among those who have achieved the feat.
"It was an unbelievable week and an unbelievable finish. I can't really believe that it happened yet, to tell you the truth," Stricker said.
"It was just kind of a roller coaster day today... I feel very fortunate and very lucky to have won."
Stanley, a PGA Tour rookie, moved into contention thanks to a superb run after the turn that featured five birdies from six holes.
Stanley, playing in the group ahead of overnight leader Stricker, led by two strokes with two holes to play but could only manage a par at the par-5 17th, then bogeyed the last with a 10-foot putt that lipped out after he had driven into the trees.
Stricker, the world No. 5, had lost his lead with bogeys at the 15th and 16th, but recovered in spectacular fashion to win the title for the third year running.
On the 18th, he hit his drive into a fairway bunker but, after some hesitation over his club choice, still found the back fringe of the green with a superb approach before sinking the long birdie putt.
"Believe or not, I was thinking three and that is why I went back to the six iron," Stricker said.
"I finally got a good stance in there. I thought I could pull that shot off but to make that putt is a bonus obviously. What a day."
The victory gave the 44-year-old Stricker his 11th PGA Tour win and his second of this year following his triumph in The Memorial last month. It was an agonizing end for Stanley, who closed with a 66 and would have become the fifth rookie to win on the Tour this year, but he had little time to reflect on the loss after booking the final spot in next week's British Open at Royal St George's, and was due to catch the same overnight flight as Stricker.
"It's great. I'm very excited to go over there and play," he said. "But I'm still trying to calm down from that round."
Canada's Matt McQuillan and American Zach Johnson tied for third at 17-under.
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