Steve's Super Sunday

Most of Sunday’s focus in the sports world was in Miami for the greatest sports spectacle of the year…The Super Bowl. Although my brother Jim called the big game I kept one eye on NBC’s first golf telecast of the season at the Northern Trust Open from famed Riviera Country Club in LA. With much of the early talk of the week stemming from Phil’s wedge or now referred to as ‘Groove-gate’ the real issue became the rain that battered SoCal for the first couple of rounds. Although play was never washed out, the rains came and made for muddy and slow conditions. And when all was said and done a new number two player in the world was named.

The human roller coaster ride Steve Stricker held on and was victorious at ‘Hogan’s Alley’ to move past the two time defending champion Phil Mickelson for second in the World Rankings. This also makes him the top rated player who is actively playing at the moment as Tiger continues with his sexual healings. Stricker played catch-up to Tour long-baller Dustin Johnson for much of the tournament as Johnson blistered out of the gates with a 64 and 67; including an ace on Friday. But DJ’s 74 on Saturday coupled with Stricker’s 66 led to a six shot advantage for Steve entering the final round.

Sunday was a minor struggle for the 42-year-old from Wisconsin, but he was able to stamp his name on the trophy with putts when he needed them. The finally healthy Luke Donald finished two strokes back in second while Johnson and big hitting JB Holmes finished in a tie for third. Phil Mickelson was in contention entering the weekend, but a 71 and 73 dashed all of his hopes at a 3-peat at Riviera leaving him with a T45.

This victory marked Stricker’s 8th career win his 4th win within the calendar year. Between all of his 2009 wins and World Golf Ranking Stricker was obviously already a part of ‘The Tradition Unlike Any Other.’ But the unfortunate thing right now is that Steve is in that group of players who have not won a major, and although winning at ‘Hogan’s Alley’ is extremely special, I think he’d trade in this Super Sunday for one in the second week in April. But you never know, with the way he’s playing, Stricker just might be ready for a Green Jacket fitting.