ROUNDUP
For Stricker, Cheers and Tears
It's His 1st Title Since '01; Ochoa Wins 3rd LPGA Event in Row
Steve Stricker hugs caddie Tom Mitchell after winning The Barclays and moving to the top of the FedEx Cup standings.
(By M. Ehrmann -- Getty Images)
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Monday, August 27, 2007; Page E03
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 yesterday at The Barclays for a stunning turnaround that gave him a 2-under-par 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."
It sure wasn't easy. Not with 10 players -- five of them major champions -- separated by three shots. And not with Choi holing two birdie putts that were a combined 95 feet, making it look as if he were destined to win.
Stricker, who already let four chances of winning slip away this year, refused to buckle.
And when his final birdie from eight feet dropped into the cup, he raised his arms and hugged his caddie, Tom Mitchell, who first caddied for Stricker when he won the 2001 Match Play Championship in Australia.
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 and tumbled to No. 4, nearly 5,000 points behind Stricker.
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.
Stricker finished at 16-under 268 and earned $1.26 million.
