Stricker strikes back
What looked like more heartache for Steve Stricker turned into the sweetest victory of his career.
After going 6 1/2 years and 146 tournaments without winning, Stricker birdied four of his last five holes Sunday at The Barclays for a stunning turnaround that gave him a 2-under 69 and a two-shot victory over K.J. Choi in Harrison, N.Y.
“It was hard, but it was fun,” Stricker said, his voice choking as tears streamed down the side of his face. “I never knew if I was going to win again.”
Even without Tiger Woods, the inaugural PGA Tour Playoffs got off to a rousing start.
Along with the fourth victory of his career, Stricker moved to the top of the FedEx Cup standings with 2,050-point lead over Choi, who closed with a 70. Rory Sabbatini, who had a share of the lead at the turn, closed with a 68 to finish another stroke back and moved up to No. 3 in the playoff race.
Woods skipped the first of four playoff events.
The next stop is the Deutsche Bank Championship outside Boston, which starts Friday. There are three tournaments remaining before someone captures the $10 million deferred bonus, but all Stricker cared about was hoisting another trophy.
LPGA
Lorena Ochoa won her third straight LPGA title with a five-stroke victory in the Safeway Classic at Portland, Ore.
Ochoa shot a 71 in the final round for a 12-under 204 at Columbia Edgewater Country Club for her sixth victory of the season.
In-Bee Park (64), Christina Kim (69), Sophie Gustafson (75) and Mhairi McKay (72) all finished at 7-under 209.
Champions Tour
Denis Watson eagled the second hole of a seven-man playoff to win the Boeing Classic in Snoqualmie, Wash.
Playing No. 18 for the third time in an hour, Watson hit a 3-wood to about 18 feet, then made the putt, giving an emphatic fist pump as the ball dropped to end the largest playoff in Champions Tour history.
Gil Morgan, Joe Ozaki, Dana Quigley, David Eger, Craig Stadler and R.W. Eaks also finished at 9 under for the tournament after a wild final nine holes where the lead changed on almost every hole.
Amateur Championship
Colt Knost won the 107th U.S. Amateur Championship, holding off Michael Thompson 2 and 1 at Daly City, Calif., to win both of the nation’s biggest amateur golf events in two months.