The Loop
You probably didn't notice: Robert Streb had an incredible week of putting
If you watched Robert Streb win the McGladrey Classic, you probably wondered to yourself, 'Why hasn't this guy won on the PGA Tour before?' The simple answer is he's never putted like that.
Streb made 62 of 66 putts from inside 10 feet at Sea Island for the week and was perfect from five feet and in. He tied for the fewest putts (113) in the field and finished T-2 in strokes gained/putting at 1.691.
Those numbers were well up from what we've seen from Streb, 27, in his first two seasons on tour, when he ranked 101st and 75th in strokes gained/putting. He made his biggest strides with shorter putts this week after being ranked T-145 last season from inside of 10 feet.
On Sunday, Streb converted six birdie putts of five feet or less (yes, his ball-striking was also pretty good) during a final-round 63. He made 10 birdies overall in 20 holes, including a four-footer for the win on the second playoff hole to top Brendon de Jonge and complete a five-shot comeback from the start of the round.
Streb was the FedEx Cup bubble boy (No. 126) in his rookie season in 2013, but he used his conditional status in 2013-14 to make 21 starts and earn $1.3 million to earn full playing privileges in 2014-15. His first win in his 49th career start gives him a two-year exemption on tour.
In his PGA Tour media-guide profile, Streb lists going to a Texas-Oklahoma football game and playing at Augusta National as his two bucket list items. With his win Sunday, he'll be able to cross off the latter in April.