Rewarding & Consistent Year for Steve Stricker

Following Steve Stricker around a golf course, you would never know where he stood on the leaderboard at anytime. The subdued, laid back Midwesterner keeps his nerves in check no matter where he is in a tournament.

In 2013, you needn't look far down most leaderboards. As Stricker was near the top of most events he pegged it up in this season.

The 12 time PGA Tour winner played an abbreviated schedule in 2013, teeing it up in only 13 events. Though he made the most of every start he made.

Stricker finished off his season with nine top-10 finishes, including three runner-ups at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, WGC Cadillac Championship, Deutsche Bank Championship and the Tour Championship.

"It's been a great year. I had a lot of fun this year." Said Stricker after the Tour Championship. "I played probably the best golf of my life really, or the most consistent all year long on Tour this year, more than any other year probably."

"I wasn't sure how this year was going to work out really at the start of it all back in December, but the more the year went on, the more I got comfortable with what I was doing, the more it felt right.  So I'm very excited the way I played and the way I hung in there. Yeah, it was a lot of fun.  Both home and on the road, it was a lot of fun this year."

Stricker also finished off the 2013 season near the top or at the top, of some very important statistical categories.

Greens in Regulation -- 2nd -- 71.16%
Driving Accuracy -- 3rd -- 70.65%
Scrambling -- 2nd -- 65.57%
Scoring Average -- 1st -- 68.945
Strokes Gained Putting -- 2nd -- .727

The 46-year old Edgerton, Wisconsin native also figured in all three FedEx Cup playoff events he competed in. Finishing no lower than a tie for fourth (BMW Championship) in any of the three events he played. Good enough for a third place overall finish in the 2013 FedEx Cup standings.

Playing in fewer events than most of the PGA Tour regulars, Stricker's game always seems to be on when it counts. His statistical rankings display just as he said, one of the best seasons of his career.

Next season will once again bring an abbreviated schedule for Stricker. Though if his form from this season can survive another cold Midwest winter yet again. Look for him to contend and be near the tops of leaderboards again, in 2014.