MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Steve Stricker’s latest win on the PGA Tour Champions felt as big as any in his career, closing with a 3-under 69 on Sunday to win his American Family Insurance Championship in his native Wisconsin for his fourth title this year.
Stricker already has six Champions majors, including the two played this year. This tournament was one his foundation began before he turned 50, and he finally got it.
Tied with Paul Broadhurst to start the final round, Stricker seized control with two straight birdies to close out the front nine at University Ridge Golf Club.
He won by five shots over Broadhurst (74) and Steve Alker (70).
“This one definitely means more than probably any tournament throughout my whole career,” Stricker said.
His other big win in Wisconsin was as Ryder Cup captain two years ago at Whistling Straits, when the Americans beat Europe by a record margin.
Stricker now has 15 wins on the PGA Champions, and he gets another crack before the home crowd in the U.S. Senior Open at SentryWorld in Stevens Point.
Stricker lost in a playoff at the American Family Insurance Championship in 2019.
“I had a couple opportunities the first six years and didn’t finish the job on Sunday,” he said. “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.
“Yeah, this one’s pretty sweet.”
The final round featured a nearly 30-degree drop in temperatures. Stricker started both nines with a bogey but otherwise never gave anyone much of a chance.
Stricker expanded his lead in the Charles Schwab Cup. Led by his four wins, he has not finished worse than a tie for eighth in his 11 tournaments on the PGA Tour Champions this year.
TOP PHOTO: FILE – Steve Stricker talks with the media after his win at the Regions Tradition, a PGA Tour Champions golf event, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)