Steve Stricker
Madison’s Steve Stricker was met with a standing ovation on Sunday as he walked up the 18th fairway at Whistling Straits for the final time. Wisconsin golf fans showed their appreciation for Stricker, who shot a final-round two-under-par 70 to finish four shots under par at the 97th PGA Championship.
Stricker got off to a good start during his final round on Sunday, climbing to five-under-par through 12 holes. He birdied ten, eleven and twelve but he ran into trouble from there and was unable to regain his momentum.
Stricker heads into the offseason feeling much better about his future and after playing a limited schedule (9 starts this year), he hopes to play in more events next season. Stricker said his next event probably won’t come until December when he’ll likely play in the Shark Shootout in Florida.
Stricker has run out of exempt status for all four majors, which means he’ll have to go through qualifying. But he said he still will try to qualify for all of the majors, especially the one coming up in Wisconsin in 2017, the U.S. Open at Erin Hills.
Stricker said, “I’ll continue to try to get into these majors, but, I don’t know, it could be my last.”
Stricker said he plans to continue with his semi-retirement by playing a limited schedule next season so he can spend more time at home with his family.
AUDIO: Steve Stricker presser following his final round 13:30