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2-8-10
On a weekend when much of the country was fixated on a blizzard in the Mid-Atlantic states and a Superbowl in Miami, Steve Stricker was busy in California moving up in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Stricker, of Madison, won the Northern Trust Open Sunday at Riviera CC in Pacific Palisades, Calif. He closed with a 1-under 70 and earned a two-shot victory over Luke Donald by finishing at 16-under 268 (67-65-66-70). It was Stricker’s fourth win in 15 starts, and it moved him to the top of the FedExCup points list and to No. 2 in the world. He earned $1.152 million for the victory, which moved him to over $25 million for his career.
Stricker began the final round with a six-shot lead over Donald, JB Holmes and Andres Romero, but it had diminished to two shots by the seventh hole. But Stricker got back on track with birdies on No. 8, 9 and 11 to move four ahead.
It is the second time in his career Stricker has been No. 2 in the world. However, he doesn’t see himself taking over the top spot from Tiger Woods, who is taking an indefinite leave from golf while he tries to save his marriage.
“I don’t allow that,” Stricker said. “We all know who the best player in the world is, and I’ll just continue to do what I do, and that’s practice hard and work at it and try to improve.”
Wisconsin native Mark Wilson tied for 54th at 1-over 285 (72-72-72-69), and Madison’s Jerry Kelly failed to make the cut.
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