Worldwide Golf

STEVE Stricker took advantage of Tim Clark’s missed par putt on the 18^th in regulation as he defeated the South African and Steve Marino in sudden-death at the Crown Plaza Invitational at Colonial.

Clark missed a 9-footer for par in regulation to finish 17-under total, level with between Americans Stricker and Marino. All three players then missed birdie putts as they re-played the 18^th for the first play-off hole  – Clark pulling his putt from seven feet – before going back to the 17^th to see if a winner could be decided.

Marino was out of contention after a wayward drive but solid irons off the tee gave Stricker and Clarke good angles in to the green. Stricker knocked his to four feet and Clarke, knowing his needed to be aggressive, saw his ball hit the pin and spin back 20 feet away from the cup. He missed his putt leaving Stricker with a short birdie putt for his fifth PGA TOUR title.

“I feel fortunate,” said Stricker, who collected $1,116,000 and 500 FedExCup points for the victory. “I’ve been on the other end a couple times this year where you feel you’re going to win and end up losing. This feels very good.”

Clarke was left cursing his luck as he still searches for his first PGA TOUR win despite winning three times on The European Tour. “I can’t take anything positive from today,” said the 33-year-old. “I have a lot of work to do when it comes to closing out golf tournaments.”