Steve Stricker Breaks Long-Standing Tiger Woods Record En Route To PGA Tour Champions Win
Stricker's first-round 65 broke the record for the most consecutive rounds of par or better
Steve Stricker’s win at the American Family Insurance Championship continued the American’s sparkling run of form, but it was his round on Friday that will be forever remembered after the 56-year-old broke a long-standing PGA Tour record.
With a seven-under-par 65 on the first day, Stricker registered his 53rd consecutive round of par or better, surpassing the previous record in PGA Tour history across all Tour-sanctioned events, a record previously held by Tiger Woods.
Speaking about the achievement after his round on Friday, Stricker said: “When I went out, I wasn't focused on that, I was just trying to get a good round under my belt, shoot a good round, get up in contention.
“It really wasn't on my mind, but anytime you can pass Tiger Woods in something like that, and I may text him and just remind him that I did pass him. No, seriously, I'm proud of that. I would have rather done that on the regular Tour, but to do it out here is even special, too.”
The 15-time PGA Tour Champions winner extended his record over the weekend to 55 consecutive rounds of par or better as he went on to win by five shots in front of his hometown crowd in Madison, Wisconsin.
Having bogeyed the first hole, Stricker responded with birdie at the second followed by two more on eight and nine to pull clear of final-round co-leader Paul Broadhurst. A one-under-par back nine then rounded out a comprehensive five-shot victory over Broadhurst and Steven Alker in second, with the victory Stricker’s third in his last four starts on the Champions Tour.
Speaking after his win, he said: “It was very special. Today was a difficult day not only with the weather but just fighting my nerves and the emotions of trying to win a golf tournament, especially here in Madison.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
A post shared by PGA TOUR Champions (@pgatourchampions)
A photo posted by on
“It was a day that could have gotten away pretty easily just because the conditions were so tough. I held it together, so I'm proud of that part. It feels pretty sweet to come out on top.”
Stricker looks set to return next week as he looks to challenge for the US Senior Open at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Ireland’s Padraig Harrington is the defending champion, the man who Stricker beat just two weeks ago en route to a playoff victory in the Senior PGA Championship and the American’s sixth senior Major.
Ben joined Golf Monthly having completed his NCTJ in multimedia sports journalism at News Associates, London. He is now a freelance journalist who also works for The Independent, Metro, UEFA and Stats Perform.
-
Billy Horschel Blames LIV Golf Supporters For Ongoing Divisiveness In Men's Pro Golf
Billy Horschel suggested that LIV Golf supporters are partially to blame for the current state of men's professional golf
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Report: LIV Golf League Signs Partnership With Golf Australia
The deal with LIV Golf is expected to go towards funding Golf Australia’s junior program
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Charlie Woods Shoots 81 To Fall Short In Bid To Qualify For 2024 US Open
Charlie Woods carded a nine-over-par round in local qualifying to miss out on one of five spots into final qualifying
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Report: Tiger Woods Set To Receive $100m Loyalty Payday From PGA Tour
The 15-time Major champion is set to be rewarded handsomely for sticking with the US-based circuit
By Andrew Wright Published
-
Tiger Woods Names Jupiter Links GC TGL Roster
The 15-time Major winner has revealed the three players to compete alongside him in the delayed TGL next year
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Verne Lundquist Lifts Lid On Emotional Masters Farewell With Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods shared a poignant moment with the legendary broadcaster beside the 16th green in the final round at Augusta
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Tiger Woods Finishes Last At 2024 Masters Following Highest Total Score Of Pro Career
Woods putted out for a final round 77 at Augusta to finish on +16, but the veteran still vowed to play the rest of the year's Majors
By James Nursey Published
-
Tiger Woods Impresses On Masters Day One With 23 Holes To Play On Friday
Woods played 13 holes in one-under-par on Thursday afternoon before play was called due to darkness
By Elliott Heath Last updated
-
Why Is Tiger Woods Not Wearing Nike At The Masters?
At the start of 2024 Tiger Woods revealed he wouldn't be wearing Nike anymore, but why is that? We explain all here.
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
Tiger Woods Postponing Ryder Cup Captaincy Talks Until After The Masters
The 15-time Major winner confirmed he will hold talks with PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh once he has competed at Augusta National
By Jonny Leighfield Published