Sports

Former West Suburban Resident Makes 7 Birdies to Win Tourney

Former Wheaton resident Kevin Streelman breaks 1956 PGA tour record for consecutive birdies to win Travelers Championship.

Kevin Streelman, who was born in Winfield and grew up in Wheaton, birdied the last seven holes of the Travelers Championship to win by a stroke Sunday at the TPC River Highlands, according to media reports. 

Streelman shot his second straight 6-under 64 "to finish at 15-under 265," and broke the PGA Tour record for consecutive closing birdies by a winner of six, which was set in 1956 by Mike Souchak, according to ESPN.com. 

Streelman told ESPN.com that the last nine holes were probably his favorite on the PGA Tour but added that "you can't plan for something like that to happen. It just kind of falls into place.

Streelman, 35, was one over before he started his birdie run Sunday, according to the Daily Herald. He won by one stroke over K.J. Choi and Sergio Garcia, according to CBSSports.com. 

With the recent birth of his daughter, Sophie, he said he hadn't been focused solely on golf lately as he tries to spend time with his baby and wife, Courtney, the Daily Herald reports. 

His daughter was in his thoughts on the last couple holes.

Streelman said, "'I was thinking, `You know what? If these go in, great. If not, great. She's going to love me either way and we have a nice family vacation coming up either way,'" according to the Daily Herald. 

A 1997 graduate of Wheaton Warrenville South High School and 2001 graduate of Duke University, Streelman turned pro in 2001. He earned his PGA Tour card in 2007, after finishing 14th in the PGA Tour qualifying tournament, according to his website.

Read more on the Daily Herald or ESPN.com


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