Stricker simply brilliant at John Deere
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2010 John Deere Classic | Round Four | 12 Jul 2010
Steve Stricker may not have matched his brilliant scoring of the opening three days at the John Deere Classic but his final round of 70 was good enough to hold off a spirited late challenge from the first round leader, Paul Goydos, and successfully defend the title he won twelve months ago.
Stricker was called on to birdie the par five 17th after an errant tee shot gave his closest pursuer Goydos, who was at that point only two behind, a chance but he was up to the challenge. Despite a bogey at the last Stricker won by two over Goydos with four shots back to a resurgent Jeff Maggert in third position.
Stricker is back to the form he displayed earlier in the year and he now heads across the Atlantic to St Andrews for his 11th attempt at the Open Championship. Given his current form, and that he has played the Open Championship with some credit in recent years, he will fancy his chances of improving on his previous best of 7th at Carnoustie in 2008.
Goydos might have been a little disappointed not to catch Stricker but he will be delighted with his best PGA Tour finish in more than three years, his round of 59 on Thursday and that his great week has earned him a start at the Open Championship this week.
Matt Jones was the leading Australian, continuing a very good season for the New South Welshman. The US$176,000 for his share of 5th takes his earnings beyond US$1 million for the first time in his career.
Greg Chalmers and John Senden were 12th, Rod Pampling and Jason Day 15th, James Nitties 21st, Aaron Baddeley and Steve Elkington 39th and Mark Hensby 65th.
