Steve Stricker had reserved his best for the last and the American birdied four of the final five holes to pip South Korean KJ Choi and lift the Barclays Classic title.
Stricker’s impressive final round of 69 saw him finish 16-under, two shots ahead of Choi and the win also ended the American’s title drought since 2001.
The last time Stricker tasted triumph was in the 2001 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, beating Sweden’s Pierre Fulke.
Elated with a success that came after a six-year gap and earned him $1.26m, Stricker said
I never knew if I was going to win again. This is sweet.
The title race intensified between Stricker and Choi before the American broke free. After Choi missed a birdie in the final hole, Stricker birdied the 17th to take the lead and then settled the issue picking up yet another shot on the final hole.
South African Rory Sabbatini finished third at 13-under, just a shot ahead of the trio of
Mark Calcavecchia, Geoff Ogilvy (Aus), Ernie Els (SA).
Among others, Phil Mickelson finished 11-under, ahead of Sergio Garcia (5-under0 and Padraig Harrington (4-under).
