Stricker goes low to win John Deere
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2009 John Deere Classic | Round Four | 13 Jul 2009
Steve Stricker has won the John Deere Classic, his last round of 64 at the tournament in Silvis, Illinois setting up a three shot victory over Zach Johnson, Brandt Snedeker and Brett Quigley.
Forced, along with the rest of the field, to play 36 holes on the final day of the rain affected event, Stricker followed up his second round of 61 on Saturday with a morning round of 68 on Sunday and headed into the afternoon’s final round one shot behind the joint third round leaders, Matt Jones, Darron Stiles and Tim Petrovic.
Stricker was quickly into stride in his final round opening up with two birdies before spinning back his approach shot into the hole at the par four 6th for an eagle 2. Many players had their chance to chase him down over the closing stages but Stricker held them all at bay with a final nine of three under and a round of 64.
It was Stricker’s sixth PGA Tour victory and his second this season along with numerous top ten finishes. He heads to Turnberry with his game in the best possible shape for a tilt at the Open Championship. After very little early success in Britain, Stricker has played well in each of the last two years at the Open and could well be a factor this coming week.
Brandt Snedeker followed up his return to form at last week’s AT&T Championship with a round of 65 to share second and he appears back on track. His 5th place finish last week earned him a start at the Open and he joins several others on a specially chartered flight from Silvis to Scotland.
Zach Johnson continued his good season when he picked up three late birdies to also finish in a share of second place. Brett Quigley not only shared second position with Johnson and Snedeker but he was able to gain the one last position available at the Open Championship by being the leading player inside the top five not otherwise exempt for Turnberry.
Spare a thought for Tim Petrovic who had a place at the Open locked up until finding the water at the last and taking double bogey. Petrovic started the final round with two bogeys but worked his way back into things with a succession of birdies. He appeared to have second place in the bag but the double bogey not only cost him a trip to Scotland but more than US$300,000 in prizemoney.
New South Welshman Matt Jones moved into a share of the lead with a blistering third round on Sunday morning and although he made a slow start to his final round he did well to hang on and produce a finish (5th) that will go some way towards him retaining his chances of retaining his PGA Tour status. He came close to being on his way to Scotland but will be delighted with his improved showing.
The next best of the Australians whose last round of 65 moved him from 28th to 9th, Peter Lonard finally displayed some form with a 15th place finish, by far his best of the season, Jason Day shared that position with Lonard. Steve Elkington was 22nd and Marc Leishman 30th while John Senden made the cut but was not able to play on Sunday due to the reduced field required to fit all 36 holes in on the one day.
The PGA Tour will now move to Turnberry for those playing the Open Championship or Milwaukee for the US Bank Championship.
