Steve Stricker's Best Season - 1996 or 2009?

Steve Stricker celebrates 2009 Deutsche Bank Championship victory

Shortly after Steve Stricker captured his seventh PGA TOUR victory this past Sunday, sports journalists around the country quickly stated that Stricker's 2009 PGA TOUR campaign was the greatest in his 16-year career. With three PGA TOUR victories, along with two second-place showings, Stricker has obviously played consistently well this season. However, how does the 2009 season compare to one of Stricker's other past magical seasons?

Even though Stricker has never ranked as high as second in the World Golf Rankings at any other point in his career until he achieved the feat last week, Stricker's 1996 season may arguably remain his most consistent to date, unless he is able to obtain yet another victory this season.

Back in 1996, Steve Stricker was among the hottest golfers on the planet, if not the hottest. In 22 events, Stricker only missed three cuts and obtained seven top-10 finishes, including four third-place finishes, one runner-up, and two victories.

At the Kemper Open, Stricker obtained his first PGA TOUR victory by three shots, defeating the likes of Mark O'Meara, Scott Hoch, and Brad Faxon. A little over a month later, Stricker lapped the field by eight shots in the Motorola Western Open. By the time the 1996 season was completed, Stricker finished fourth on the PGA TOUR money list in only his third full season on the tour.

This season Stricker has not only earned his ranking of number two in the World Golf Rankings, but he has also obtained his current showing of first place in the FedEx Cup playoffs with only two events remaining. Along with his three victories, Stricker has ten top-10s with only three missed cuts in 20 starts, much like he did back in 1996. Various golf fans will continue to argue during the next few weeks over whether Stricker's 1996 season was better than his 2009 campaign or vice versa.

All golf fans and sports journalists alike will agree with the fact that, even thirteen years after his consistent play in 1996, Steve Stricker still has the talent and the drive to continue to perform well under tournament pressure and appears ready to win tournaments for years to come. No one in the golf industry would be surprised if Stricker were to add a major championship victory to his resume next season. The only question is - which one will it be?

Steve Stricker - 1996

Wins - 2, Top-Tens - 7, Money List - fourth

Steve Stricker - 2009

Wins - 3, Top-Tens - 10, FedEx Cup Current Standing - first