Stricker wins World Matchplay crown

Fulke, 29, the world number 45, who treated the US 5 million dollar event partly as a training ground for the Ryder Cup, was playing for his biggest purse ever, a first prize of $ one million, but fell short through several missed birdie putts.

Two-up after the first 18 holes, Stricker moved three-up on the 25th hole with a par-three after Fulke three-putted for a bogey but the Swede cut the margin back to two on the following hole with a birdie four on the par-five.

With nine holes left, Stricker, who had not trailed all day, looked in command but immediately his putt for par lipped out on the 28th hole, giving him just a one-up advantage and giving Fulke a chance.

They halved the next six holes before Fulke missed a 15-ft putt for par on the par-four 35th hole to finally concede the match and the Walter Hagen Cup to Stricker.

South African Ernie Els, the top seed who was knocked out in the semi-finals on Saturday by Fulke, lost again today to Japan’s Toru Taniguchi four and three in the consolation final over 18 holes for the $ 400,000 third prize.

Drug code not needed for golf: There was no evidence to warrant drug testing in golf, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said here on Sunday.