In the past 12 months, Steve Stricker’s performance on the PGA Tour Champions has been compared to that of Tiger Woods. However, Stricker himself remains grounded and humble.
Stricker recognizes the unique context of playing on the Champions tour, where the courses are shorter, the tournaments have no cut, and the pressure is not as intense as in major championships. With this perspective in mind, he reflects on his achievements over the past year.
Despite his success, Stricker does not consider himself a better player now than when he was on the PGA Tour. He acknowledges that all players’ abilities deteriorate over time. He believes that he may not hit the ball as far, putt as well, or chip as effectively as he did during his time on the PGA Tour.
Nevertheless, Stricker’s accomplishments since winning the Furyk & Friends in his previous season are remarkable, whether on the Champions Tour, PGA Tour, or mini-tours.
Stricker’s Unrelenting Drive
Stricker aims to become the eighth player in Champions tour history to win seven or more times in a single season. His title defense begins on Friday in a group alongside tournament host Jim Furyk and Davis Love III.
Furyk’s victory in the 2022 Furyk & Friends marked the end of Stricker’s previous hot streak, where he won three tournaments and finished third in another. Stricker chose not to participate in the 2022 Schwab Cup Playoffs, but still finished in third place. He took time off for hunting season and fulfilled family responsibilities, including caddying for his daughter in the Wisconsin state high school championship. Stricker’s 2023 season started strongly with a win at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship, and it has been a one-man show ever since. With six wins, three Champions majors, and nearly $4 million in earnings, he has already broken the single-season record.
When Stricker recently defended his title in the Sanford International, it marked his fifth victory in just eight starts. Even his worst performances have resulted in ties for eighth place.
Despite his mild-mannered nature, Stricker’s fellow players recognize his fierce determination. Jim Furyk praises Stricker’s work ethic, physical fitness, accuracy, and short game. He describes Stricker as a player without any weaknesses. Mike Weir also admires Stricker’s unprecedented success and labels it as “incredible.”
Only Langer Stands a Chance
Stricker has his sights set on victory in the Schwab Cup race as well. Currently, he holds a comfortable lead of $2,065,705 over Bernhard Langer. With two regular-season tournaments remaining, Stricker intends to participate in the first Schwab Cup playoff in Richmond, followed by the Schwab Cup Championship in Phoenix.
If Stricker secures another win this week and Langer finishes outside the top 10, the competition will most likely be decided in Stricker’s favor.
Stricker’s dominance is evident in various statistics:
- Leading in scoring (67.35), birdies per round (5.18), eagles (11), putts per greens in regulation (1.681), and percentage of one-putt greens (39.3%).
- Performing well off the tee (14th in driving accuracy on the Champions Tour, hitting 73.1% of fairways), and excelling in greens in regulation (2nd, 77.7%) and three-putt avoidance (5th).
- Demonstrating impressive recovery skills, leading in scrambling (making par 75.5% of the time when missing greens in regulation) and ranking 2nd in sand saves (66.7%).
Stricker humbly acknowledges that these statistics contribute to his consistently strong performances.
Stricker’s Mastery of the Short Game
Accolades for Stricker’s short game have come from multiple sources. Mike Weir believes that Stricker’s wedge play and putting skills make him comparable to some of the best players on the PGA Tour, such as Jordan Spieth.
According to Stricker, his success ultimately comes from enjoying the game. He appreciates the opportunities presented by the Champions Tour, which he did not have consistently on the regular PGA Tour. Stricker thrives in pressure situations and finds it exhilarating to execute crucial shots down the stretch.
In contrast, it has been a challenging season for other players on the Champions Tour, as only 12 individuals have managed to win tournaments. Bernhard Langer remains the only legitimate contender for the Schwab Cup in Stricker’s supreme reign.
While Stricker acknowledges that there are areas for improvement, he demonstrates confidence in his putting and short game. Even on days when he struggles off the tee, he can salvage his rounds thanks to his exceptional skills around the greens.
If Stricker continues to perform at his highest level this week, that will undoubtedly make headlines.
By: Garry Smits
Title: Soft-spoken Steve Stricker Dominates the PGA Tour Champions Season with Six Wins
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/10/05/steve-stricker-dominating-pga-tour-champions-season-six-wins/
Published Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2023 13:00:05 +0000
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