Steve Stricker Claims 6th Victory of the Year at Sanford International
Steve Stricker continues his incredible run on the PGA Tour Champions by clinching his sixth victory of the year at the Sanford International in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The 54-year-old golfer holed a magnificent 20-foot eagle putt on the final round to catch K.J. Choi before securing the win with two late birdies.
Stricker’s consistent performance throughout the year has been nothing short of extraordinary. With this latest win, he has earned a remarkable $4 million in a single season on the 50-and-older circuit, setting a new record for the most money won in a single season.
The victory at the Sanford International marks Stricker’s third win in this particular tournament. It seems Stricker thrives on the pressure of championship Sundays, always managing to deliver his best when it matters most.
Stricker began the final round with a slim one-shot lead, but quickly found himself trailing behind Choi, who got off to a fast start and closed with an impressive 65. However, the Wisconsin native didn’t falter under the pressure and managed to make a stunning comeback.
On the par-5 12th hole, Stricker’s tee shot found the left side of the fairway, leaving him with a mid-iron to the green. His approach shot landed beautifully, setting up a 20-foot eagle putt that he calmly sank. Then, on the 15th hole, Stricker found himself in a bunker off the tee but managed to salvage a birdie. These crucial birdies placed him in the lead, setting the stage for the thrilling finale.
Despite a tough position on the par-5 16th hole, Stricker showcased his exceptional wedge play by hitting a remarkable shot to within 8 feet of the pin. His birdie putt found the bottom of the cup, securing a one-shot lead over Choi. As Choi faltered with a bogey on the final hole, Stricker had a comfortable two-shot cushion. Although he three-putted on the 18th, his lead was insurmountable, and he finished the tournament at 16-under 194.
Reflecting on his performance, Stricker described the final round as a challenging battle. However, the reward of victory made all the hard work worth it. With this triumph, Stricker maintains his flawless record of never finishing worse than eighth throughout the year.
Joe Durant birdied the last three holes to place third with a score of 68, while legendary golfer Bernhard Langer shot an impressive final round of 64 to secure fourth place.
Stricker’s exceptional season shows no signs of waning, although he is aware that time is running out to break the single-season record for most titles. With just five tournaments remaining on the PGA Tour Champions, he needs three more wins to achieve this remarkable feat. In the meantime, he comfortably leads the Charles Schwab Cup by more than $2 million.
As Steve Stricker continues to dominate the PGA Tour Champions, fans eagerly await to see if he can add to his impressive tally of six victories and potentially rewrite the record books with an extraordinary achievement.