2011 John Deere Classic

[Shindig]

Turns out the one I was missing on my list was Billy Casper, 1959-1961 Portland Opens. Here's a list of all the three-peaters: http://www.pgatour.com/tourreport/?http://tourreport.pgatour.com/2011/07/10/stricker-joins-three-peat-club/ However, their online list contains some British Open winners prior to it being recognized by the PGA Tour, but not Peter Thomson. I will try to bring this to their attention, I guess.

[bplewis24]

Originally Posted by Shorty

I had to watch a P2P stream from Spain.

If you were listening and not watching, you'd think that Stricker's last 2 shots weren't any good.

That was one helluva'n birdie from where he was in the bunker in 18.  What I cannot fathom is how his ball ended up buried and nearly embedded in the bunkers on 16(?) and another hole.  That was ridiculous.

Brandon

[inthehole]

Originally Posted by xxsoultonesxx

That was a ridiculous way to win a tournament. Stricker can putt.

couldn't believe he pulled that putt out - talk about clutch.     Felt bad for the rookie though, but Strick gained another fan today ...

[motteler621]

Originally Posted by inthehole

couldn't believe he pulled that putt out - talk about clutch.     Felt bad for the rookie though, but Strick gained another fan today ...

I couldnt believe he pulled it off either. It was a goosebumps moment when he made that putt.

[jamo]

I just now saw the last few days, and wow, what a finish. Congrats Stricker, now do some damage at Royal St. George's, please?

[baseballfrk8998]

Couldn't be more happier for Stricker. What a way to finish a tournament! He hit some bad shots but recovered nicely and showed great maturity down the stretch. Great last 2 shots!

[Kieran123]

Wow. He drew the ball out of the bunker with the ball below his feet on a slope. What a shot, then makes the putt. Good on him, the guy is a grinder. Hope he plays well at the open.

[B-Con]

I was watching the end. I turned on the TV and saw Stricker was down by 2 shots with 2 holes to play, and I was thinking, "Why did he have to give the lead up?" Then I saw him make that chip on 17...it was a good chip but still a fairly long putt. At that point I was thinking, "He's not going to make it. He blew it." When he made it I was pumped. I was rooting for him at that point.

Then at 18 when I saw Stanley drive into the trees...I got a little happier. But when Stricker hit his tee shot into the bunker on the left, I thought it was over...all Stanley had to do was make par...at that point, I didn't think Steve Stricker had any chance at making birdie.

Then I watched Stanley miss that par putt...and got really excited. Then I was just hoping for Stricker to make a par to force a playoff. When I saw him aiming directly over the water, I got really worried and nervous, because that's a tough shot to pull off. I thought he would just aim a little short of the green, or the front right of the green. But he hit that and I was really excited when it stopped just over the green. But still, I thought he had no chance to make that putt. I was just hoping the ball would stop within a few feet, hoping for it not to fly by with those fast green conditions.

I saw it go up and over the ridge and onto the green, and I said to myself "It's going in!" because it looked perfectly on line. And in it went and I was fist pumping just like Stricker!

Same story, same reactions. :-) I didn't think Steve would pull it off watching him prepare his approach on the 17th. But wow, what a finish. Poor Stanley, his putt needed to be all of two millimeters higher to force a playoff.

[Thrash13]

Stricker's finish was very cool to watch, and it's always nice to see him in the winner's circle.  Every time he gets there, you can tell how truly happy and emotional he is!  Kyle Stanley has a great future ahead of him, but Stricker is playing great right now.

Also, how about that Charles Howell III?  His last three tournaments have resulted in T3, T3, and T5.  The three tourneys weren't the biggest and best by any means, but who cares?!?  Maybe he will pull a rabbit out of his hat and at least make the cut this weekend at Royal St. Georges.