We know Steve Stricker owns the course at Greystone.
But he has no appreciation for the beauty of a pattern.
In the last four Regions Traditions, Stricker had finished second (2018), first (2019), second (2021) and first (2022). When his pattern was threatened at the end of play Saturday, he simply shined up his unbeatable irons and clamped down on the lead, pushing past his course record 267 established in 2022.
In 2023, Stricker finished the Tradition with a blistering 265 over four days, 23-under par for the tournament and six strokes ahead of his nearest competitors. The win earned him the first major on the PGA TOUR Champions in 2023.
A Week of Fireworks
Before Stricker made the lead almost insurmountable, the week had been full of other dramatics:
- Seven World Golf Hall of Fame players participated, including Vijay Singh, Bernhard Langer, Ernie Els and more.
- A newcomer to the tour and qualifier, Timothy O’Neil was in a trio of leaders at the end of Thursday and finished tied for 11th.
- Four-time PGA TOUR major winner Ernie Els was in contention on Friday, leading at that point.
- Robert Karlsson couldn’t miss if he tried on Saturday, setting a course record 9-under par, 63.
- Play was interrupted for almost on hour on Sunday as lightning sent the final groups to shelter. When play resumed, Stricker might have been wetter, but he was still hot on the course.
- To end the tournament, Stricker earned his third Tradition win. This makes him the first three-time winner of the Birmingham-area tournament and only the second Tradition three-time winner (the other being Jack Nicklaus).
The Regions Tradition is one of five major tournaments on the Champions Tour.
Held at Greystone Golf & Country Club in Hoover, Alabama, the Regions Tradition is one of five major tournaments on the Champions Tour.
Ernie Els, Friday leader, and Robert Karlsson, Saturday leader, finished tied for second, both six shots behind Stricker.
The Regions Tradition is one of the premier community events sponsored by Regions Bank within its headquarters city. Over the last 30 years, the Regions Tradition has raised more than $21 million for charity, with the primary beneficiary being Children’s of Alabama, which serves the medical needs of young people across the Southeast.
Check out other coverage of the 2023 Regions Tradition: