Stricker loves Open invitation

By GAZETTE STAFF Wednesday, June 11, 2008

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Steve Stricker, the two-time PGA Comeback Player of the Year, will be looking to make yet another comeback at the U.S. Open, beginning Thursday at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, Calif.

Stricker, an Edgerton native, will be making his 13th career appearance in the USGA tournament, the Tour’s second major of the season. He missed the cut at the Masters, the Tour’s first major of the season, in April.

While Stricker has struggled to make it to Saturday in Augusta, his history competing in the national championship is much better, making 10 of 12 cuts. His best finish has been fifth—three times.

Going into Torrey Pines, Stricker has failed to make the cut in his last four tournaments, dating back to the Masters. He has gone 0-for-May, missing paydays at the Wachovia Champion, The Players Championship and the Crown Plaza Invitational on May 25.

In last season’s Open at Oakmont (Pa), Stricker finished tied for fifth, falling out of contention with a final-round 76. He pulled within four shots of the lead on Saturday.

In 13 tournaments this season, Stricker’s best finishes are second in the Mercedes-Benz Championship in January and a fourth the next week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. He has missed six cuts overall.

Stricker has banked $1,518,039 in Tour earnings this season.

U.S. Open facts

Course: Torrey Pines, South Course, San Diego (7,643 yards, par 71).

Television: ESPN (Thursday-Friday, noon-2 p.m., 4-9 p.m.; Monday, if necessary, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.) and NBC (Thursday-Friday, 2-4 p.m.; Saturday, 3-9 p.m.; Sunday, 2-8 p.m.; Monday, if necessary, 1 p.m. to playoff conclusion).

Odds to win (from Pinnacle Sports): Tiger Woods, 3.25-1; Phil Mickelson, 7-1; Sergio Garcia, 18-1; Padraig Harrington, 22-1; Vijay Singh, 25-1; Jim Furyk, 30-1; Justin Rose, 35-1; Ratlief Gossen, 50-1; Steve Stricker, 125-1.

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