Stricker wins PGA event in Hawaii

Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:16 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

American Steve Stricker held off Martin Laird, Jonathan Byrd and Webb Simpson to open the US PGA Tour season with a three-shot victory at the Tournament of Champions.

Stricker iced the tournament at the Plantation Course in Maui with a four-under par 69 to finish at 23 under par for the week, three ahead of Scotsman Laird (67) at 20 under par.

Simpson (68) and defending champion Byrd (68) were a further stoke back at 19 under.

Stricker watched his third round five-shot cushion drop to just one stroke early in the final round but the 44-year-old rallied hard to grab the win, enough to move him to fifth on the world golf rankings.

It was his 12th PGA Tour victory, the ninth since turning 40. “It feels really special but it was tough. I never let up today but it is always tough trying to win from in front,” Stricker said.

“The hole shrunk on me out there but I just had a lot of patience and hung in there.

“It was just like yesterday all over again. I felt it kind of slipping away but I told myself if I get a couple shots back before the turn I’d be ok.

“I played good though and overall I am very proud of what I did this week.” Australian Aaron Baddeley closed out his tournament with an impressive four-under 69 but was a mammoth 17 shots behind Stricker in 21st place at six under par.

Despite failing to contend for the title, the 30-year-old Victorian claimed his game was in great shape heading into a busy west coast schedule.

Baddeley, now 47th in the world, will take a two-week sabbatical from the tour before starting a five-week stretch at the Farmers Insurance Open in Torrey Pines, California.

The run of tournaments includes the Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles where he is defending champion and ends with a trip to the WGC Match Play in Tucson (assuming he stays inside the world top 64).

“I played well today, it was just one bad shot really,” Baddeley said.

“It was a nice way to finish for my golf going forward. I want to get more momentum and flow going. I want to be in the rhythm of tournament golf because it’s a great time to set up your season and lead into the Masters.”

Baddeley appears at total peace with his game and expects to have another big season.

“I am really excited about where my game is at and where it’s heading. I know it’s just a little sharpening up that’s needed,” he said.

“The short irons and scoring clubs could be just a tad sharper but it’s not like I need to find something or am struggling.

“I’m really excited to keep playing and hopefully I can get a win before we leave the west coast.”