Stricker hoping to learn from another loss
March 18, 2010
PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP)—A golf magazine asked Steve Stricker to take part inits survey on the best putters, and when he had finished his list, the world’sNo. 2 player was asked if he would include himself.
That would seem like a no-brainer.
Stricker blushed.
Looking at a small group of reporters listening to him, he started to laughand weakly said, “I’m all right.”
It was a moment like this that illustrates why Stricker is unlikely toreturn to the deep slump that derailed his career. He has played golf betterthan anyone except for Tiger Woods over the last two years and refuses to takeany satisfaction.
Stricker learns as much from failure as success, and memories remain freshfrom the Transitions Championship, which starts Thursday on the tough CopperheadCourse at Innisbrook.
Stricker rallied from a four-shot deficit in the final round and was tiedfor the lead, but he couldn’t finish it off. He flew the green from a bunker onthe 17th and missed the 18th green from the middle of the fairway, closing withtwo bogeys to tie for fourth.
It was the third time Stricker had at least a share of the lead on the backnine and failed to win.
“It was disappointing bogeying the last couple of holes, but you know, Ilearned a lot from it,” Stricker said. “I took a lot away from it, and I thinkit helped me the rest of the year. … I think you learn just as much fromdisappointments as you do from positive things that have happened. It kept memotivated and gave me confidence.”
It paid off down the road, for sure.
Stricker won at Colonial, the John Deere Classic and the Deutsche BankChampionship during the FedEx Cup playoffs, giving him his best year on the PGATour. Another victory at Riviera moved him up to No. 2 in the world, a spot hestill occupies.
Stricker is part of a strong field at Innisbrook for the TransitionsChampionship, a tournament on the rise despite being stuck between a World GolfChampionship at Doral and a tournament hosted by Arnold Palmer.
He is among four of the top 10 from the world ranking—the others are IanPoulter, Jim Furyk and Padraig Harrington—and 14 of the top 25. Most of themare expecting a test as difficult as always.
Over the last five years, no other PGA Tour on this Florida swing hasproduced higher scores. There isn’t a lot of water—Innisbrook really doesn’tneed much—for the emphasis is on being in the right position to approachgreens that are firm and fast.
“A few of these greens are outrageously fast,” Kenny Perry said.
Poulter is making his debut at Innisbrook, mainly because he is not playingnext week at Bay Hill or the week after in Houston, and the Englishman did notwant a long break before the Masters.
“I like the way it sets up,” Poulter said. “There’s going to be sometricky tee shots out there, you’re going to have to move the ball right-to-leftand left-to-right, which is good. It’s all about positional play. And the waythe greens play, there’s a lot of emphasis on distance control of your irons. Ifyou can keep it below the hole on most of these greens, you’re going to have agreat chance.”
One guy will have a long break before the Masters—five months—and heisn’t playing anywhere in Florida.
For Tiger Woods, that’s truly a road less traveled.
He announced Tuesday that he would end his seclusion from a sex scandal byreturning at the Masters, his first competition since winning the AustralianMasters at Kingston Heath on Nov. 15.
Stricker is as curious as most how Woods will fare after such a long layoff.
“I would imagine he’s going to be a little rusty,” Stricker said. “He hasnot played a round of golf since November. Doesn’t matter who you are—you’regoing to be competitively under the gun. You’re going to be a little bit rusty.How long is it going to take? Who knows? It could take nine holes for him to getback into it. It could take him a couple of holes. It could take him a couple ofrounds.
“He’s a great player, great competitor, and so I expect him to be there atthe end. The place—obviously, only Nicklaus has won more green jackets there—so he loves the place, and he feels good going around there. I expect him to dowell and be there at the end.”
Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 10