No one has ever three-peated on both the PGA Tour and the PGA Tour Champions. Until now.
Steve Stricker became a notable first Sunday with his third straight victory in the 2024 Sanford International. Coupled with his three straight wins at the John Deere Classic from 2009 to 2011, and he now holds a unique place in the PGA Tour history books.
Stricker started the final round at at Minnehaha Country Club in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, three shots back of the lead of Michael Wright.
Stricker was up two shots late but he bogeyed the par-4 closing hole and then watched Richard Green birdie the last and so off to a playoff they went.
On the fourth extra hole, Stricker’s approach rolled up and hit the flagstick.
ARE YOU SERIOUS?!
Steve Stricker’s approach hits the flagstick on the 4th playoff hole! pic.twitter.com/lCvdIRCATE
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) September 15, 2024
Stricker shot 67-68-67 for the week. The victory was his fourth in the seven-year history of the tournament and his 18th Champions win. He won 12 times on the PGA Tour.
Making a Sunday charge but coming up just short was Bernhard Langer. He shot a Sunday 67 to finish at 7 under. Just a week ago, he lost in a playoff, so this gives him consecutive runner-up finishes. Langer tied for second along with Green. Ernie Els, the leader in the Charles Schwab Cup points, also tied for third at 7 under.
Steven Alker and Wright tied for fifth at 6 under. Wright, 50 and a PGA Tour Champions rookie, was one of five to earn his way on tour this season via Q school last November, was the 36-hole leader but after rounds of 67 and 65.
