Steve Stricker Birdies Second Playoff Hole for Colonial Victory

It was the fifth playoff on the PGA Tour this season, but the only one that gave us such incredible shots over just two holes.

Steve Stricker claimed the Colonial title on Sunday after dodging a birdie bullet by Tim Clark, who is still searching for his first win, and Steve Marino, who seems to have the game to claim a title on the PGA Tour but is still rough around the edges.

On the 17th hole, where just about an hour before Stricker had pitched in for birdie behind the green, Stricker hit the approach shot of the year, landing nearly three feet short of the hole and almost going in for an eagle before stopping two feet past the hole. Not to be outdone, Clark, who had a five footer for birdie and the win on the first playoff hole, had his second shot nail the flagstick, kicking it some 20 feet in front of the hole. The shot looked to be sailing a hair long, but still would have been closer if it had avoided the flag.

As great as the win was for Stricker, the loss has to be just as tough for Clark, who was standing on the 18th tee in regulation with a one-stroke lead, but a missed par putt in regulation and the birdie putt that was about as easy a look as you'll get for your first PGA Tour victory just couldn't find the hole.

Like my buddy Neil over at the Armchair Golf Blog said when play wrapped up, "To get that first PGA Tour win you almost need a three shot lead heading over to 18." Clark looked timid all throughout the playoff and a missed putt and a touch of bad luck doomed the 33-year-old South African.

The win was Stricker's fifth on tour and his first since 2007.