PGA Tour

Stricker is hungry for more

ESPN staff

February 8, 2010 « Storrie pleads for time as Portsmouth hearing looms | ESPN FA Cup Promo »

Steve Stricker was in fine form in California © Getty Images

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Steve Stricker

Steve Stricker is refusing to rest on his laurels after his win at Riviera propelled him up to No. 2 in the world. With Phil Mickelson finishing outside the top six at the Northern Trust Open, Stricker's victory from Luke Donald means he is the number one active player - with Tiger Woods currently on an indefinite break.

Stricker was overcome with emotion after securing his win, but will draw on the fact he was languishing down at No. 337 in the world a few years ago as inspiration for the future.

"One of my goals trying to come back was to obviously get my game in order and to win again, and I've done that," Stricker said. "I hate to say the word 'complete' because I feel like I still have things to do. I came back from one part of my career that wasn't so good to where I'm at now. But I still want to continue. I don't want to quit what I'm doing, and I still work very hard at it."

Stricker has won four times from his last 15 events and his game is being compared to that of Woods, but the 42-year-old was dismissive of such talk.

"We all know who the best player in the world is," Stricker said. "I went down that road when he came out on tour. I tried to compare my game to his back in '96 or '97, and there was no comparison for my game to his back then. I'll just continue to do what I do, and that's practice hard and work at it and try to improve."

Miguel Angel Jimenez emerged from the doldrums to clinch a play-off win at the Dubai Desert Classic and has shot up 60 places to No. 30 in the world rankings, while Ross Fisher enters the top 20 at No. 19 and Rory McIlroy climbs to a career high No. 7.

Rankings: 1. Tiger Woods (USA) 2. Steve Stricker (USA), 3. Phil Mickelson (USA), 4. Lee Westwood (Eng), 5. Jim Furyk (USA), 6. Martin Kaymer (Ger), 7. Rory McIlroy (NI), 8. Paul Casey (Eng), 9. Henrik Stenson (Swe), 10. Padraig Harrington (Ire), 11. Ian Poulter (Eng), 12. Geoff Ogilvy (USA), 13. Kenny Perry (USA), 14. Robert Allenby (Aus), 15. Sergio Garcia (Esp), 16. Sean O'Hair (USA), 17. Ernie Els (RSA), 18. Robert Karlsson (Swe), 19. Ross Fisher (Eng), 20. Retief Goosen (RSA)