AUGUSTA, Ga. — If Steve Stricker wins the Masters this week and captures his long-awaited first major championship by utilizing an improved short game, consider it a big-time favor returned.
Last month, Stricker gave Tiger Woods some key putting pointers on the practice green at Doral, and Woods went on to win that week and followed it up with his victory at Bay Hill two weeks ago.
Woods has graciously praised Stricker for his help and conceded the tips he received from his long-time friend and frequent Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup playing partner have helped him immensely on the greens.
On Sunday, Woods helped out Stricker with a few short-game chipping tips while the two played a practice round together at Augusta National.
“I played 14 holes with him [Sunday] and we were talking about pitching and chip shots and a little wedge play,’’ Sticker said yesterday. “We talked about that a lot. I was asking him what he does and what he tries to do, and his action on the way back and through.’’
Stricker, who finished two shots off the lead to Woods at Doral, said the players helping each other out “is mutual.’’
“We try to help one another once in a while,’’ he said. “It’s just when things pop up. I’m not afraid to ask him. He’s the best player in the world. He’s ranked No. 1 now again, and it’s fun to bounce some ideas off him here and there.’’
Stricker said he expects a big week for Woods, who’s trying to win his first major championship since 2008 and his first Masters since 2005 — his longest drought of the four majors.
“He’s hitting it nicely,’’ Stricker said. “It looks like he’s got a ton of confidence in the putter, too, which you need to go around here or anywhere if you’re going to win a tournament. It looks like he’s comfortable in his game and with what he’s doing. So yeah, I expect him to be in the mix come Sunday for sure.’’
Stricker said he’s “surprised’’ Woods has not won at Augusta since 2005.
“I didn’t realize it’s been that long,’’ he said. “Everything about this course is suited for his game. He’s in a good spot right now. He’s happy and relaxed and he just feels good about what he’s doing with his game, and it’s showing in his attitude, too.’’
Stricker is hoping for a change in his career, too. At age 46 and playing an abbreviated schedule so he can both be fresher when he plays and so he can spend more time at home with his family, Stricker is hoping less is more.
Though the Masters is the one major he has not truly contended in, he hopes that changes this week.
Asked if the door closed on Stricker winning a major, ESPN analyst Andy North said, “I still think it’s open. Over the last five years he has really understood himself exceptionally well and what he needs to do to play well. Steve, over the last four, five, six years, has created a golf swing that is so repeatable and is so simple, and he has turned himself into a very good striker of the golf ball again, and as we know, he’s a wonderful putter. With the way he putts, I think he’s going to have a lot of chances to win majors.
“He’s the kind of guy that could maybe contend up to [when] he’s 50 years old in major championships if he still is able to keep his length, which he’s been able to do.’’
ESPN analyst Curtis Strange said a Stricker win this week at Augusta “would be probably the most popular win in the locker room’’ based on his universal popularity among his peers.
“If Steve were to win at Augusta this next week, you’d better be there for the press conference on Sunday because it might be the last time you ever talk to him,’’ ESPN analyst Andy North said. “He might just ride off on a white horse into the sunset.’’
* Former British Open champion Darren Clarke has withdrawn from the Masters because of a hamstring injury.
“If Steve were to win at Augusta this next week, you’d better be there for the press conference on Sunday because it might be the last time you ever talk to him,’’ North said. “He might just ride off on a white horse into the sunset.’’
Clarke pulled a hamstring while on vacation in the Bahamas just more than a week ago.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.