Steve Stricker shot a final-round 4-under 68 to capture the 2018 Rapsican Systems Classic, his second Champions Tour title in as many starts.
Entering Sunday with a one-shot lead, Stricker was still a single stroke ahead after turning at 1-under 35. But the 51-year old Wisconsinite reeled off four birdies in a six-hole stretch to pull away from a congested leaderboard, and sign for a three-day score of 11-under par, three clear of Billy Andrade (69), who finished solo-second.
In three starts this season on the senior circuit, Stricker has two wins and a runner-up. When asked to explain his hot start to 2018, he cited consistency.
“I think that’s my game. When I start to play well, I’m fairly consistent. I just have been playing well so far this year,” said Stricker, who has never posted an over-par round on the Champions Tour (25 rounds).
“I’ve gotten off to some good starts, played well in a couple PGA Tour events, and then I’ve had chances to win out here. Got my first one a couple weeks ago, which helps me here. I mean, anytime you can get yourself in contention and win, it shows that you can do it, it proves to yourself that you can do it.
“Today was hard, but deep down I knew I could do it. I just did it a couple weeks ago, so that helped me a couple weeks ago to finish it today.”
The win was worth $240,000 for Stricker, which moves him to No. 1 in the Charles Schwab Cup race with $593,560.
Stricker will tee it up this week in Houston on the PGA Tour.
FINAL TOP 5
1 Steve Stricker -11
2 Billy Andrade -8
3 Gene Sauers -7
3 Scott Parel -7
3 Jesper Parnevik -7
3 David McKenzie -7
THE TROPHY
FINAL LEADERBOARD & MONEY
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
QUOTABLE
“I’ve got some confidence. It’s hard to win anywhere, I said that at Cologuard, and anytime you can win it provides some confidence at the next level or whatever level you’re playing at. For me, that’s next week on the regular Tour. So it’s a totally different environment, it’s different golf, it’s a bigger course. It will be a challenge, but I’m in the best possible shape I can be mentally wise. I feel good about my game and I’m going there with a little bit of confidence.”
– Steve Stricker
Credit: Rapsican Systems Classic Media, PGA Tour Media
