Steve Stricker wins the John Deere Classic for the third time in a row
Steve Stricker pulled in one of the most amazing feats in the sport when he thrashed the field to win the third consecutive title of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis. Stricker has won the title twice in 2009 and 2010 and he became the only
player to post a three-peat in the sport after World War ll.
"It was an unbelievable week and an unbelievable finish," Stricker said. "I still can't believe I'm sitting here."
The final round of the tournament turned out to be a nail-biting battle when Stricker was constantly challenged by Kyle Stanley all the way till the final holes. Stricker was five strokes ahead of the Stanley when he made the turn despite of falling in for
a terrible double-bogey at par-four, 5th.
Stanley, who opened up his back nine with opening birdies, quickly plunged into contention when Stricker fell for another two bogeys on 15 and 16 to fall two shots behind.
As the two contestants moved closer to the finish, Stricker pulled in a glorious 15-foot birdie putt at the 17th
hole to reduce Stanley’s lead to one shot. Stanley went over to even-par the 17th but fell for a bogey on the 18th.
Stricker then pulled in one of the most amazing shots of the day to clinch the title for the third time. Standing on his left foot inside the bunker, he guided the ball right on to the green. Using his favourite putter, Stricker then managed a swirling shot
to see the ball sink for a birdie putt for the 18th amidst a huge uproar within the crowd. Stricker raised his arms in ecstasy and waved to the crowd which has been on his side all throughout the weekend.
"It's weird," Stricker said. "When I get into a situation where I have to make a putt, I feel like my nerves kind of go away and I focus extremely hard on trying to make that putt. And that's kind of like the little zone I got into on 17 and 18, I guess."
With this marvellous three-peat success on Deere Run, Stricker has joined only a few players in the history who have managed to win a title for the three times in a row.
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