Steve Stricker: an assessment
Regardless of the fact that Steve Stricker is at present the most betted player of golf, there is still news making rounds on the basis of which his potential is still being underrated in the mainstream of golf.
However, with his recent victory at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, at Kapalua, in Hawaii, he has been able to hush down the noise rising against him to a substantial extent.
His performance at this tournament has also been much superior to his usual competitors like Webb Simpson and Jonathan Byrd.
Owing to the phenomenal improvement he has introduced in his game, the 44-year-old golfer from Wisconsin is topping all lists of being termed as the hot favourite for upcoming events.
Call it family influence or personal motivation, due to which Stricker has been able to secure victories in 12 PGA events that he has played in his career.
Golf experts and pundits believe that it is basically the unconventionality of a player like Steve that makes the entire game of golf look so ordinary.
According to Stricker, "I just try to do my own thing. I tried to compare myself to guys when I was playing well back in the mid '90s, and you know, I got into some bad things. I'm happy with what I do".
In addition to this, another important point that must be mentioned about Stricker, as it has played a significant role in improving his performance, has been his increasing immunising potential towards injuries.
Following a couple of rough years, after he won the Accenture Match Play Championship back in 2001, he has very carefully insulated himself from the different kind of injuries and other deformities that his colleagues in golf are suffering from.
Once again, the profound impact of his family, especially of his father and brother in-law, cannot be sidelined.
On the flip side, the nature of competition that he will be confronted with cannot be ignored.
However, at the same time, undermining the authority of the player who has consistently been performing well would be tantamount to injustice.
Some of the main competitors that pose a serious threat to his winning streak include Webb Simpson.
This 6ft 2in golfer is all set and geared to put the golf course on fire with his spectacular shots.
Even though he has just two professional wins to his career at present but, with an earlier six victories in the amateur category, Simpson has the portfolio to cover for the backlog.
The year 2011 proved to be fruitful for the golfer, as he was able to make it into the Presidents Cup for the first time in his life.
Above all, it was not by fluke but with a concrete and stable 4th position at the points table that he accomplished the feat.
Experts have already cast their vote in confidence of Simpson, as they believe that if there is any player who can actually provide Stricker a tough time with the club, it would be Simpson.
All this can threaten Stricker’s motivational spirits if he really considers him to be a serious threat.
Apart from these two, players like KJ Choi, who serve as an inspiration for many, and Zach Johnson, with seven PGA Tour wins, are also among the top contenders for the trophy.
They have the skill, they have the move and they have the appropriate technique, all of which will collectively contribute in producing nail-biting encounters with jaw dropping results.
Tags: