The PGA Championship: Day 1
August 11 2011
4:05 pm Putting prowess pays off for Stricker
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The last six major championships have all gone to players born outside the United States, and Steve Stricker is the highest-ranked American in the field.
In other words, he might be the best chance the U.S. has of ending that streak. Shooting a record-tying 63 Thursday certainly helped an awful lot, too.
“I try to downplay that stuff,” Stricker said.
He’s also trying to downplay his nerves and the fact that he’s never won a major championship.
“I think everybody is a little uptight in them,” Stricker said. “I’m more nervous in them.”
Whatever nervousness he has didn’t show on Thursday. Stricker made seven birdies and didn’t come close to making bogey — except for maybe on No. 2 (Stricker’s 11th hole), where he blocked his tee shot well to the right — on an otherwise difficult day of scoring.
Not surprisingly a big part of Stricker’s success in the opening round was due to putting. He took just 24 putts, which included a dozen one-putts. Two of those came on the difficult par-3 15th and par-4 18th holes.
“I feel that I can make just about anything,” Stricker said. “You have this feeling like this could go in, even if it’s from 25, 30 feet.
“I don’t know if that separates me or not, but that’s what I feel when I walk up to a putt is that I have a lot of confidence and I feel like I should make it.”
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Great stuff from stricker. But seriously how hard to pick a winner. Blokes out of form in contention in a major. It’s a disgrace. Hope those with form come through in the end otherwise we will end up with another one hit wonder
What an amazing round of golf for Stricker. I think this is his time to shine.
Great round by Stricker. except for Stricker, right now the leaderboard looks kind of weird.
We’ll see at the end of tomorrow. If Steve continues to build a gap there, it will be really hard for anyone to catch-up!
Good Luck tomorrow to World’s #5
Since he pretty much has the quietest hands on tour he should win a lot of tournaments.
I am really pulling for Steve. He is never listed with the notables. He is a great golfer. I watched him win his first of five state opens in WI & a few later ones. Gary VanSickle & 3 other notables discussed the possible winners for the PGA in the SI Golf Section. They mentioned 23 current PGA golfers and never mentioned Stricker. I sent Gary an e-mail asking him to select one of the 23, I would take Stricker, and he name the amount—Stricker against his guy. Surprisingly, I never heard back.
Note to Jim @ 08/11/11, 5:28pm:
Steve was elevated to #4 on the OWGR after last week’s play.
Steve has been the most consistent winning golfer during 2011 by a long shot. He has missed no cuts for 37 consecutive tournaments and has the lowest scoring average on the tour. He has 2 wins, 5 top tens and 12 top twenty fives in 14 rounds this rear.
If he doesn’t win this week’s Major….well, he’s due.
On Wisconsin
On Wisconsin
On Madison ! Steve is exuding a comfort level…This will be perfect time for a great guy’s patience to be rewarded.
Best of luck today Strick. It would be great to see you and Jerry paired up for the weekend. Show them that NICE GUYS can also win.
What constitutes a notable? I agree that Stricker is usually not mentioned as a notable by the media. The media has their favorites and it usually includes the more flashy players or long hitters or in some cases has-beens. They prefer their guys over fan favorites like Stricker. If he wins will he become a notable? I doubt it. Yet he is the best American golfer out their. Heard someone say yesterday the Kuchar was the most consistent golfer on tour, yet he’s missed his last two cuts. Stricker has not missed a cut in two years, with four wins. Show ‘em all Steve!!
Steve Stricker’s performace on Thursday was one of the all time greatest rounds of golf in major champtionship competition, in my personal opinion, and what was most remarkable was that it was done almost inconspicuously. When he tapped in for par on his last hole of the day, after a great birdie attempt following a great approach shot out of the rough, he received only a smattering of applause – which he graciously acknowledged. He is a truly nice guy, and I hope he continues his superior play.
Steve Sticker is my favorite golfer on tour. I am constantly baffled by the lack of attention paid to him by the media. Seems like they have their favorites, many of whom were good at one time but are not producing now. It’s time they gave one of the top golfers in the world the coverage he deserves.
Show them Steve! Good luck to you from a Yooper.
Watched the match today for over 3 hours and have not heard Rory Mcenroy’s name spoken once. What happened to him? Did he withdraw from the tournament?