- Northern Trust Open, Day Four
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Stricker fends off Donald for Riviera win
ESPN staff
February 7, 2010
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Steve Stricker held his nerve superbly to claim victory at Riviera
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Steve Stricker went one better than a year ago by easing to a two-shot victory in the Northern Trust Open. He finished second to Phil Mickelson 12 months ago, but his success this year not only secured the prize but saw him move ahead of Mickelson to No. 2 in the world.
"It feels great," an emotional Stricker said after securing his win. "This means a lot. I remember where I was, and where I am now does not get any better. It was hard today. I aged a lot out there today."
Luke Donald made a welcome return to form to take second with a score of 14-under, but he did not do enough to put Stricker under pressure down the stretch and his winless run goes back to 2006.
First and second round leader Dustin Johnson carded a superb 66 to claim third. Big-hitting JB Holmes had a mixed day, but a superb eagle at 17 saw him secure a share of third place.
Stricker started the day with a six-shot advantage, but Donald made inroads as the leader bogeyed the fourth and the Englishman birdied one, three and five. Stricker is one of the most unflappable players on tour and did not panic as Donald closed to within two shots and birdies at eight and nine restored a four-stroke cushion.
Donald holed out from the bunker for a birdie at 11, but his momentum was checked by a bogey at 12. Stricker briefly left the door ajar with a poor chip at 15, but Donald failed to make his birdie putt and his fate was sealed when he missed a simple putt for a birdie two at 16.
Ernie Els made four birdies in a round of 68 to finish at eight-under, while new US Ryder Cup assistant captain Paul Goydos proved he can still cut it out on the course with an excellent 65 to earn him a top-five finish with a 10-under score.
Justin Rose continues to struggle for consistency and a one-over 72 left him well back in the middle of the pack, while two-time Riviera winner Fred Couples finished with a birdie to finish alongside Rose at three-under.
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