An unsolved mystery
Stricker doesn’t know what caused illness, but he’s happy to be back in a tour event
THE WOODLANDS — Last September, Steve Stricker was riding high as captain of the victorious 2021 U.S. Ryder Cup side. A month later, he was stricken with an undetermined illness, losing 30 pounds, and leading to six months of recovery while not playing golf.
Stricker isn’t sure what caused the ailment, which hospitalized him 11 days in November. He’s just glad to be back playing competitive golf. He comes into this weekend’s Insperity Invitational not having played a PGA Tour Champions event all season.
“I’m over it and I’ve moved on and I don’t really care what it was,” Stricker said on Thursday before participating in a pro-am on The Woodlands Country Club Tournament Course.
“At this point, I’m just trying to focus on moving ahead and I’m feeling better and hope it doesn’t happen again.”
The veteran golfer said it may have been some sort of virus that started with a bad cough and sore throat. His white blood cell count rose, and a problem with his liver led to jaundice. His body temperature reached 103 degrees.
“Still don’t know to this day,” Stricker said. “I’m not sure what it was.”
Stricker tees off on Friday off No. 1 tee at 11:02 a.m., grouped with Fred Couples and Mark O’Meara.
“My clubs aren’t going as far as they used to and I don’t know if that’s because I’m a year older or all the things that have happened to me since,” Stricker, 55, said. “Probably a combination.
“On a day-to-basis, I feel fine. It’s just the whole strength thing and stamina. I’m not able to practice as much as I used to and I’m still working on building up that strength and that stamina.”
There is a bit of nerves weighing on Stricker, a 12-time PGA Tour winner and seven-time PGA Tour Champions winner. That’s not out of the norm to have a little anxiety starting off a round.
“Even when I was playing out here on a regular basis, or anywhere, anytime you tee it up competitively, you get nervous,” Stricker said. “That’s part of what makes you want to be out here, getting those competitive nerves going, the adrenaline. Hopefully I’ll pick up more distance with the adrenaline.”
As far as the state of his game. Stricker’s not sure. He can only speculate until he competes over a three-day tournament in the age 50 and over circuit.
Because of his mysterious illness, Stricker wasn’t sure he would be playing this week.
“I didn’t know if I was going to be here,” Stricker said. “I crammed the last few days with my golf game. I’m ready to be here physically. I’ve just got to see where I’m at and see how I feel, if I can put three days together on a golf course walking.
We’ll see where I am.”
Not only did Stricker miss playing golf, he missed being out on the course with his peers.
“Just seeing the guys,” Stricker said. “The competition too is what I’ve missed. I just literally got here, but I’ve seen a few of the guys already, and a few hugs.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen a lot of these guys. A lot of them checked in with me periodically throughout my whole ordeal. So that means a lot to see those guys.”
After the Insperity, Stricker plans on playing the next two weeks to acclimate himself back onto the tour.
For a good portion of the past several years, Stricker’s time has been consumed with international team competition. Before managing the U.S. past Europe 19-9 in the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, Stricker was also American captain of the 2017 Presidents Cup side, won 19-11 by the Americans in Jersey City, N.J.
Padraig Harrington, the European team captain at Whistling Straits, is in the Insperity field as well. He said he was eager to catch up with Stricker for a number of reasons.
“He’s got one over me,” Harrington said. “All Ryder Cup captains have a bond going forward, but no more so than the one you’re competing against. We got on well. Steve is a tough customer. I’ve always known that.”
With Ryder Cup obligations fulfilled, Stricker can devote more time on improving his game.
“I was excited to get the Ryder Cup in my past, in my rearview mirror, and concentrate on golf again,” Stricker said. “I hadn’t been able to do that the last couple of years because my focus has been on the Ryder Cup.
“I’m excited to put that aside and start working on my own game more. This is the start of it. I was hoping to be out here in January, but life throws a curveball every once in a while. But I’m excited to be here now.”
A good number of players in the Insperity field played on this venue while playing the regular tour. The Tournament Course is tricky and can be difficult, especially when the wind picks up.
Having not played the course in 20 years, Stricker doesn’t recall many specifics of the layout.
“I really can’t remember some of the holes,” Stricker said. “Driving in here I went past No. 3 and I didn’t even remember that hole. I know the finishing holes, but I don’t remember some of the starting holes. I look forward to looking at it again.”
As far as this week, Stricker wants to keep it simple and take it from there.
“I’m just trying to get the ball rolling,” Stricker said. “I’m just trying to see what I have – game, health, stamina. I come in here hoping to play well. I’m going to try to play well. That’s the competitiveness in me.”