Steve Stricker saw his five shot lead shrink to one through the first six holes of the 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions.Though in the end, Stricker would overcome an early slip with a bogey on No. 6, to birdie No.'s 8, 9, 12, 16 and 18 to hold off all comers, to win by two at the first event of 2012 PGA Tour season.
Martin Laird, Jonathan Byrd and Webb Simpson would at some point; get within one shot of the lead in the final round -- Though no one would catch him.
Stricker did lose most of his five-shot lead to several attackers through the first six holes, the Wisconsin native steadied himself to set off his 2012 PGA Tour season with a three-shot victory in Hawaii.
At times, when his game [and lead] seemed to be slipping away from him. Stricker went on to make back-to-back birdies on No.'s 8 and 9; that would restore his lead; and perhaps confidence to close this event out by three strokes.
"It was tough," Stricker said after his 12th PGA Tour victory. Finishing at 23-under par."I never let up today. It's always tough trying to win, and it's even more tough when you have a lead like I did. I'm very proud of what I did today."
"And it's always cool to get a hug from your family walking off at the end."
For Stricker, it was his 12th career win, and ninth since he hit the age of 40.
With this victory, he moved to the No. 5 spot in the Official World Golf Rankings.
In the end, Stricker had the winner's lei draped around his neck on Maui where his two children and wife, were there to give their husband and father a huge hug.
Fighting back tears, which usually flow from his eyes after a victory. Stricker may have finally shown that he is in fact, getting used to this business of winning on the PGA Tour.
Afterall, it was his ninth victory since hitting the age of 40, and his eighth title in his last 50 tournaments.
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