GB Loch Lomond Hotels

Steve Stricker has taken the Open at Pacific Palisades

Steve Stricker has taken the Open at Pacific Palisades after managing his comfortable lead in the final lap. The American took second place to Phil Mickelson world, mired in 45th place.
by David Charpenet on 08-02-2010

We expected a battle of contenders for the world leader Tiger Woods, between Steve Stricker and Phil Mickelson on the greens of the course California Riviera. Mickelson, twice-defending champion (he beat Stricker last year) will have failed in his attempt to become the first golfer to successfully tripled in Pacific Palisades. Except in the second round, reached in 66 strokes, the world number two was never in rhythm, merely a pitiful 45th place, 14 strokes behind the winner. We must admit that nobody really scares this week Steve Stricker. The American Wisconsin were still six shots ahead at the start of the last lap! Since 1983, only two golfers bowed out after having accumulated so far ahead. Steve Stricker has failed to join Greg Norman in 1996 and Sergio Garcia in 2005 after his lead was reduced to two strokes after just five holes.

Luke Donald will not let anything
The Englishman Luke Donald was about to pass an incredible turnaround before Stricker not succeed the first of his three birdies on the day on hole number 8. But Luke Donald lacked skill on the greens to succeed his compatriot Nick Faldo, the last European winner at Pacific Palisades in 1997. “If I had been really successful with my putting, I might be able to catch Steve, Donald regretted. But he played well all week and deserves to win.The turning point may have occurred on the No. 15 hole (par 4), when the American missed his attack on green, then his next chip. Fortunately, the best putt of the weekend allowed him to save par, and perhaps the title he held out his arms. “There are always key moments which look destiny in one way or another. It is obvious that this moment was decisive”Admitted Stricker.

Stricker can dethrone Tiger
With this eighth career victory, Steve Stricker takes second place in the world rankings and the top of the ranking of the FedEx Cup. With three more titles this year, he could dethrone Tiger. “I do not really think, Stricker admitted. Everyone knows who is the best golfer in the world. I continue to train just to move again and again.The American has already occupied the place of dolphin Woods. That was in September 2009 after a victory in Boston. Having experienced a huge slump in the early 2000s, is a true renaissance for the golfer of 42 years. The victory has fled from 2001 to 2007 and he even lost his card to play on the American circuit in 2004. Considered the best golfer does not always have won Grand Slam tournament (he finished second in the USPGA in 1998), a place of world number one would be a consecration and a great opportunity to pop the champagne for those who was educated at the University of … Champaign. Next week, the circuit connects his fourth consecutive tournament in California, before the first big event of the season, the world championship match play in Arizona.

Final (par 71):
1. Stricker (U.S.) 268 (67-65-66-70)
2. Donald (Eng) 270 (68-70-66-66)
3. Johnson (U.S.) 271 (64-67-74-66)
. Holmes (U.S.) 271 (68-69-67-67)

Ranking the FedEx Cup (5 / 33):
1. Stricker (U.S.) 758 points
2. Haas (USA) 532 pts
3. Palmer (USA) 527 pts
4. Crane (USA) 517 pts
5. Ogilvy (Aus) 500 pts
6. Kuchar (USA) 446 pts
7. Allenby (Aus) 410 pts
8. Sabbatini (Rsa) 331 pts
9. Snedeker (USA) 322 pts
10. Donald (Eng) 321 pts