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By DOUG FERGUSON,

NORTON, Mass. (AP) Steve Stricker can build a strong case for the Deutsche Bank Championship as the biggest victory of his career.

It was his first win with Tiger Woods in the tournament. His third victory of the season moved him up to a career-high No. 2 in the world ranking. And he replaced Woods atop the FedEx Cup standings.

What satisfied Stricker the most, however, was how he won.

In a wild Labor Day finish on the TPC Boston, where a half-dozen players came to the par-5 18th hole with hopes of winning, Stricker finished with back-to-back birdies for a 4-under 67 and a one-shot victory Monday.

“Knowing I had to make a couple of birdies and actually doing it means a lot,” he said.

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By Sandy D’Amato
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

For Steve Stricker, it’s not about the money. Even before he emerged from a long slump in 2006 he had earned enough that he and his children and his children’s children were going to be financially secure

It’s not even about the victories, though they are wonderful affirmations.

For Stricker, it’s about the quest to own his golf swing. It’s about standing on the 72nd tee with Tiger Woods breathing down his neck and knowing – absolutely knowing - that he can pull off the shot.

At 42, Stricker, of Madison, is very close to that kind of mastery over his game.

Displaying poise, resolve and confidence in a swing that could be put to a metronome, Stricker birdied the final two holes Monday to win the Deutsche Bank Championship in Norton, Mass., and move to the top of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup standings.

With two playoff events left, he leapfrogged Woods for the top spot and moved up to No. 2 in the world ranking, behind you-know-who. Most importantly, Stricker is in control of his own destiny in the race for the FedEx Cup title and its $10 million prize.

It was Stricker’s third victory in 14 weeks and the seventh of his career, and it gave him a legitimate shot at being named player of the year. Woods, with five victories, remains the favorite as the Tour’s playoff series moves to Cog Hill in Lemont, Ill., for the BMW Championship this week.

“I really don’t think about player of the year honors or anything like that,” Stricker said. “That has never entered my mind. We all know who the guy is out here. You know, I’m just happy to be in the position I’m at and with the opportunity to do something special for myself.

“He’s done enough other special things, maybe let somebody else do something special.”

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