Steve Stricker wins the Barclays Classic

HARRISON, N.Y., Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Steve Stricker birdied four of the last five holes Sunday afternoon to win the PGA’s Barclays Classic at Harrison, N.Y., by two strokes over K.J. Choi.

Stricker closed with a 2-under-par 69. His 72-hole total was 16-under 268.

He stumbled early on the back nine, but recovered long enough to win the first event in the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

"It was hard, but it was a lot of fun," Stricker said after his first win since the 2001 WGC-Accenture Match Play in Australia. "It's been a long time, six years. I was wondering if I was going to do it again today."

Stricker earned a winner’s check of $1,260,000.

Choi shot 1-under 70 Sunday for a final total of 14-under 270, but did not make enough key shots to withstand Stricker's late charge.