Page 18 - ARUBA TODAY

A18 SPORTS
Tuesday 14 May 2019
Stricker wins Tradition by 6 shots for 1st senior major

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) His celebration was muted: "He just handles himself with
— Steve Stricker got the a single pump of his left such class and grace and
next best thing to a major fist followed by hugs with such a true gentleman of
championship, at least for his caddie and Bernhard the game," Stricker said of
a 50-something player. Langer. Stricker was runner- Langer.
Stricker ran away with his up to Miguel Angel Jimenez "He didn't have his best
first senior major Monday, at last year's Regions Tradi- stuff. I thought he would
closing with a 4-under 68 tion. come at me a little more
for a six-shot victory at the Billy Andrade, Paul Goydos than what he did, but I
weather-delayed Regions and David Toms tied for wanted to win and I want-
Tradition. second, but no one chal- ed to beat him and I want-
Stricker led by two shots lenged Stricker down the ed to beat everybody. That
heading into the final round stretch. Goydos closed with was my motivating factor, I
at Greystone's Founders a 70 while Andrade and think."
Course and went bogey- Toms shot 72. Stricker expanded his lead
free, finishing at 18-under "I got off to a good start and to six strokes with three
270. It was the fourth win just slowly crept up," Goy- birdies on the front nine.
in 18 PGA Tour Champions dos said. "I never looked like He chipped in at No. 4
starts for the Ryder Cup I was going to win. Stricker and made his last birdie at
captain, who continues to played really well, but I had the par-5 13th with an ap-
play regularly on the PGA a good week." proach to within a few feet.
Tour. Toms missed a birdie putt Even with the win well in
"This is special," said Stricker, on No. 18 that would have hand, Stricker spent a cou-
wiping tears from his eyes given him second place ple of minutes pondering
during a TV interview. "I get alone. his approach on the par-5
emotional. I hate this part." The fight for the title was 18th before he set up an
The 52-year-old has 12 PGA over long before that. easy two-putt par.
Tour victories but never won Langer, who won the Re- Stricker flirted with trouble
a major, finishing second at Steve Stricker holds up the trophy after winning the Regions Tra- gions Tradition in 2016 and when his tee shot on No. 16
dition Champions Tour golf tournament, Monday, May 13, 2019,
the 1998 PGA Champion- in Birmingham, Ala. 2017 among his 10 senior missed right, but it bounced
ship to Vijay Singh. This one Associated Press majors, began the day two off a tree and nearly made
wasn't a bad consolation shots behind Stricker but it back onto the fairway.
prize. Bethpage Black. "Nothing "To show myself that I'm faded with a 75. He was try- He delivered a shot from
"I wish I would have won can compare to that, I able to handle the heat ing to join Jack Nicklaus as the bottom of a slope over
one out there," said Stricker, think, winning a major out down the end on the last the only player to win the trees and onto the green
who's scheduled to com- on the regular tour. But to day. I hit some really quality Tradition more than twice. to save par — even though
pete at the PGA Cham- win one out here, this is the shots today, so I'll take a lot Nicklaus won four times by then, a bogey wouldn't
pionship later this week at next level, I guess. from that." from 1990-96. have hurt him much.q

Maximum Security rider banned

15 days for Derby interference

en any discipline to him," appeal of Maximum Se- House down the stretch
said attorney Sean Deskins curity's disqualification by in a trip that initially ap-
of the Oldfather Law Firm co-owner Gary West. The peared to improve the 9-2
in Louisville. "He did every- commission's swift denial second betting choice to
thing that he was required came hours after West an- 5-0 lifetime.
to do and that was within nounced that Maximum Stewards instead took the
his power to control the Security would not run in colt down after determin-
horse." this weekend's Preakness at ing Maximum Security im-
Luis Saez riding Maximum Security, second from right, goes Saez was cited for failing Pimlico in Baltimore. peded the path of sev-
around turn four with Flavien Prat riding Country House, left, to "make the proper ef- The commission said that eral horses between the
Tyler Gaffalione riding War of Will and John Velazquez riding fort to maintain a straight stewards' decisions are not far and final turns of the 1
Code of Honor, right, during the 145th running of the Kentucky
Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2019, in course" in the May 4 race subject to appeal. It also 1/4-mile race. Maximum
Louisville, Ky. at Churchill Downs. Coun- denied a request to stay Security was near the rail
Associated Press try House, a 65-1 shot was the disqualification ruling before veering several rac-
elevated and declared the pending appeal. ing lanes to his right and
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Horse Racing Commission. winner. It was the first time West and his wife, Mary, making contact with War
Jockey Luis Saez was sus- A lawyer for Saez said the the horse finishing first at said in a statement Thurs- of Will, who retreated, Long
pended for 15 days for suspension is "unwarranted" the Derby was disqualified day they are evaluating Range Toddy and Bodex-
failing to control Maximum and that the rider's legal for interference. Maximum their legal options. They press.
Security and causing inter- team will file an appeal Security was placed 17th of added that with a "just and Country House was in-
ference that resulted in the within 10 days. They are 19 horses. proper hearing of our case volved on the outside but
horse's historic disqualifica- also seeking a stay of the Saez's suspension is May 23 Maximum Security will be didn't appear seriously af-
tion as the Kentucky Derby penalty pending appeal. through June 14 and cov- restored as the rightful win- fected. Country House's rid-
winner. "He had a flawless ride in ers racing dates. ner." er, Flavien Prat, filed an ob-
The decision by the Ken- the Kentucky Derby and The stewards' ruling comes Maximum Security led a jection and said Maximum
tucky stewards was an- there's no reason that the a week after the racing muddy Derby from wire to Security interfered with his
nounced by the Kentucky stewards should have giv- commission denied an wire, holding off Country horse.q