Steve Stricker joy as he ends losing run

Sinking feeling: Steve Stricker sealed victory with a birdie at the second extra hole
13 April 2012

Steve Stricker kept his cool to win his first title in two years after beating fellow American Steve Marino and South African Tim Clark in a play-off at the Colonial Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas.

The trio finished the 72 holes on 17-under-par 263, overnight leader Clark bogeying the last for an even 70 while both Marino and Stricker closed with 68s.

Former world No3 Stricker sealed victory with a birdie at the second extra hole, hitting a superb eight-iron approach to four feet and calmly sinking the putt.

It was Stricker's first victory since the 2007 Barclays Classic and he said: "This means a lot. You've got to keep moving on and I think that's what I've done very well over the last few years . I've been maintaining a positive attitude."

It was a heart-breaking result for Clark, though, who should have won at the first extra hole but missed a short putt and saw his luck take a turn for the worse at the second when his approach hit the flag.

Clark, bidding for his maiden title on the US circuit, said: "I can't take anything positive from today."

Meanwhile, world No449 Christian Cevaer was the shock winner of the European Open at the London Club in Kent, edging out Steve Webster, Gary Orr and Alvaro Quiros by one shot.

The 39-year-old from France, who closed with a two-over 74 for a seven-under total of 281, said: "I am ecstatic to come out on top."

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