Steve Stricker was faced with another challenge less than a month after leading Team USA to a historic Ryder Cup victory last September.
Stricker battled a sickness for a long time. In November, he was admitted to the hospital for two weeks due to a high white blood cell count and inflammation around his heart, which caused him to drop 25 pounds.
Stricker, on the other hand, is on the verge of winning that war as well.
The 55-year-old, who has seven PGA Tour Champions victories, has been out of the hospital for about five months and is still making progress on and off the course.
In an interview with PGATour.com, Stricker noted, “I put on around 15 pounds lately.” “When I go out on the golf course, I chip and putt a lot, and I’m starting to see the results, which is great. However, I am most likely 75 years old “”Recent.”
When Stricker was able to swing a club again, he weighed 160 pounds and had a slow swing speed. As a result, he sought assistance from a member of his Ryder Cup team.
“I emailed Justin Thomas, saying, ‘Hey, I’m your weight.’ I’d be OK if I could just swing it at your speed,'” Stricker explained. “He’s 165 pounds and dripping wet, and he swings it incredibly quickly, whereas I’m just about 25 pounds lighter and can swing it that fast. No, that hasn’t turned out to be the case.”
"I'm excited to see what this next chapter will bring."@SteveStricker details the medical scare and his road to recovery.
He's feeling great and getting closer to a return to golf. pic.twitter.com/rHHI4IVD2T
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) March 25, 2022
Stricker announced in early March that he plans to return to competitive golf in April, with the goal of getting a few rounds in before the Regions Tradition, the senior tour’s first major, in May.
“Golf definitely doesn’t mean as much to me,” Stricker stated following his sickness. During his recuperation, the 12-time PGA Tour winner was able to spend more time with his family and take on a new role in the family.
“It had nothing to do with me and my golf game, which is usually the case,” he explained. “I was attempting to prepare for a role, but I was completely focused on them and what they were doing.”
And, with a fresh perspective gained from his recent experiences, Stricker is looking forward to what lies ahead.
“This golf game has been a roller coaster,” he remarked. “I’ve been on that roller coaster, and now I feel like I’m trying to go back on…” I’m looking forward to seeing what this new chapter has in store.”
