After going 6½ years and 146 tournaments without winning, Stricker birdied four of his last five holes today at The Barclays for a stunning turnaround that gave him a 2-under 69 and a two-shot victory over K.J. Choi.

"It was hard, but it was fun," Stricker said, his voice choking as tears streamed down the side of his face. "I never knew if I was going to win again."

It sure wasn't easy, not with 10 players separated by three shots _ five of them major champions. And not with Choi holing two birdie putts that were a combined 95 feet, making it look as if he were destined to win.

Stricker, who already let four chances of winning slip away this year, refused to buckle.

And when his final birdie from 8 feet dropped into the cup, he raised his arms and hugged his caddie, Tom Matthews, who first caddied for Stricker when he won the 2001 Match Play Championship in Australia.

Even without Tiger Woods, the inaugural PGA Tour Playoffs got off to a rousing start.

Along with the fourth victory of his career, Stricker moved to the top of the FedEx Cup standings with 2,050-point lead over Choi, who closed with a 70. Rory Sabbatini, who had a share of the lead at the turn, closed with a 68 to finish another stroke back and moved up to No. 3 in the playoff race.