Stricker holds off challengers at Kapalu
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions | Wrap | 10 Jan 2012
Steve Stricker has today won his 12th PGA Tour title, nine of those coming since turning 40 in February of 2007.
After taking the lead and control of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions with a stunning second round of 63 on Saturday, Stricker held off several challenges over the final 36 holes to win by three over Scotland’s Martin Laird with defending champion Jonathan Byrd and Webb Simpson one shot back in a share of 3rd position.
Both on Sunday and today Stricker let big leads slip but as he had done yesterday he found a way to right the ship and remain in control.
“It was tough, said Stricker. “It is always tough when you are trying to win and it is even tougher when you have a lead like I did. Overall I am really proud of what I did today and this week and it is always cool getting a big from your family when you are walking off.
“Just like yesterday I felt it slipping away today but I stayed patient – frustrated but patient and told myself if I could get a couple back before the turn I would be ok and that birdie at the 8th calmed me down quite a bit. I was proud the way I hit the ball today – not so proud the way I putted it but proud the way I hit it.”
Scot, Laird, was delighted to have finished runner-up more especially as it gives him a kick start in his quest to secure a European Ryder Cup berth for later in the year at Medinah Country Club.
“Yeah, you know, I’ve been saying the last month or two I want to get off to a quick start this year and get my name up there as a name that’s in contention for the team, and obviously coming out here and playing like this this week has obviously done that for me.
“But I’m not just going to sit back and be like well I’ve had a good finish. I still need I reckon I need to win at least once, maybe twice, to get on that team on the points. As I said, missing a few months, but obviously coming here and finishing second has helped me a lot.”
Laird was full of praise for the conqueror. “I think he (Stricker) is probably the most underrated player in the world. As you said, I didn’t know that he’s won more times since 2009 than anyone.
“People over here know how good he is, but especially when you go back to Europe, when I go back to Scotland or whatever, everyone knows he’s a good player, but I don’t think they realize just how good he is. As you said, he’s won more than anyone since 2009, so you could argue he’s been the best player in the world for that spell, and every year, even when he’s not winning, he’s always up there.”
Byrd appeared he might be Stricker’s greatest danger late in the round but a three putt bogey at the 17th cost him any genuine chance and when he and Simpson were unable to birdie the final hole then it would be Laird who would take second position on his own
Laird actually birdied five of his last seven holes catch and pass the two golfers who had looked the most likely to tackle Stricker, Simpson and Byrd.
Aaron Baddeley was the only Australian in the field and finished 21st in the 27 man field.
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