A good vibrations victory

Steve Stricker's two-shot victory over Luke Donald in the Northern Trust Open yesterday was the perfect remedy for what has been ailing the PGA Tour in 2010.  Refreshingly, one of its top-ranked players pulled off a winning performance that made practically everyone feel good.

Considering the recent shadows cast over golf by the Tiger Woods scandal and the square-groove controversy, PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem couldn't have written a much better script. It's hard not to feel good when you see an unassuming 42-year-old man wipe tears from his eyes during a television interview moments after recording the eighth victory of his PGA Tour career.

Apparently when you bounce back from a career-threatening slump the way Stricker has it makes you unashamed to show your appreciation for success. With his victory at Riviera Country Club, Stricker has taken over the lead in the FedExCup and risen to No. 2 in the world golf rankings. At the end of the same tournament in 2005, Stricker was ranked 327th among golfers around the globe.

Through hard work and perseverance the steady Wisconsin native has overcome losing his PGA Tour card in 2005 to become one of golf's top players, relying on consistent ball-striking, superior iron and short-game play and a deadly putting stroke from inside 10 feet to separate himself from the competition. In the last four years -- and three tournaments of 2010 -- Stricker has won more than $17 million and five PGA Tour events. He's finished second and third in the FedExCup, too.

Starting the final round of the Northern Trust Open yesterday with a six-shot lead put Stricker in the uncomfortable position of not wanting to match a PGA Tour record for blowing the biggest lead.

"I just knew it was going to be hard," Stricker said after closing with a 1-under 70. "You're playing a different game than what you normally play. You played scared -- at least I did there for a while."

Back-to-back birdies at the turn settled him down. Another clutch putt for par on the 15th hole essentially clinched it for him. On an entertainment scale of 1 to 5, Oldgolfdawg would throw Stricker's victory 3 1/2 dog biscuits. Watching someone hold onto a lead isn't as much fun as watching someone charge from behind to win. But any victory by Stricker is worth watching, especially the television interview afterward.

"He played nicely coming down the stretch, and I think he was a deserved winner," said Donald, who closed with a 66.

Of Stricker's climb to No. 2 in the world rankings, Donald added:  "It's a great testament to his will. It's a tough game mentally when you're not playing well, and to break that and come back and be where he is right now, that's great going. He's obviously found it, and he's worked hard, and he has a lot of belief in himself now."