Stricker wins and takes No1 spot on Fedex Cup standings

Steve Stricker finishes birdie birdie to win the Deutsche Bank Championship by 1 shot. This is his third title in 2009 and his first victory on Tour with Tiger Woods in the field.Stricker is now the No2 ranked player in the world and leads the Fedex Cup standings by 909 points over Tiger with two playoff events left.

Half a dozen players were in contention to win with 3 holes to play.The finishing holes at the TPC Boston are birdie opportunities,especially the par 5 18 which is the easiest hole on the course and where most players are putting or chipping for eagle. With 4 men tied for the lead at -15 Jason Dufner was first to post -16 in the club house.Then Stricker was on the 17th fairway when Scott Verplank made his 4th birdie in a row to finish his round and join Dufner at -16,Steve knew what he had to do.He sank a tricky 15 footer at the 17 and made a tap-in chip approach for another birdie at 18.

“Knowing that I had to make a couple of birdies and actually doing it means a lot.”said a very emotional Stricker.

Tiger shot the best round of the day 8 under par 63 including an eagle from the fairway at the par 4 6th hole to finish at -12 T11th, five shots behind Stricker.

Jason Dufner gained 48 spots in the Fedex standings from 57 to 9 and Scott Verplank jumped in 5th position from 37.

A new rivalry is emerging between the world #1 Tiger Woods and his good friend Steve Stricker.Who will take the Fedex Cup? Tiger,Steve or which of the other 68 contenders? With the new format anybody who is in has a chance to win.

The third leg of the playoffs is starting Thursday at Cog hill in Chicago.70 players will tee-up at the BMW Championship,only 30 will survive for the 4th and decisive leg at the Tour Championship.

It’s going to be a fierce battle,check out the matchups and the lines at BetPhoenix.com and back up your favorite players with a bet.