Since regaining his game in 2006 and starting a climb up the world rankings, Steve Stricker has done just about everything to show he's a world-class player.

Steve Stricker (Chris Thelen/Staff)

In 2007, he won for the first time in six years, moved into the top five in the Official World Golf Ranking and played in all four majors in the same year for the first time since 2002.

He's yet to show off his new and improved game at Augusta National Golf Club, though.

Stricker played well in the three other majors last year, but he missed the cut in the Masters, shooting 77-79 .

Even during the first act of his career (from 1994-2001, when he won three times), Stricker's Masters play was spotty. In six starts, from 1996-2002, he missed the cut three times.

"My record there isn't that great," he said. "I think I've had one top-10 there (in 2001, when he tied for 10th place). This year is a new year and I'm looking forward to going back and hopefully get something going."

In the 2007 Masters, Stricker missed the cut by four shots. The weakest part of his game was putting, which is normally his strength. For the 2007 season, he averaged 28.64 putts per round, but at Augusta National the average was 30.5.

Despite his problems at Augusta, Stricker won $4.6 million and finished fourth on the money list last year.

He also made The Barclays his first tour victory since the 2001 Match Play Championship. It was the main reason he won the tour's comeback player of the year award for a record second consecutive year.

"I don't know how I did it, but it is an honor to be voted by your peers," Stricker said of the award. "We don't know if the award has the correct name or not. But it's a nice award, and I am honored."

The only way Stricker can top his 2007 season is to win a major championship. In that case, he'd be on the player of the year ballot, not the comeback player one.

He's moved as high as third in the world ranking and was fourth in late March.

"It's really satisfying," Stricker said. "It has been a lot of hard work. It's just fun again to play well. It was such a long time there when I didn't play worth a lick. I look forward to going to each and every tournament. ... It's put a little life back in my step. I'm excited to play."

Being in the top five in the world doesn't make Stricker feel like he's one of the elite.

"I've had two good years, and I've snuck in there," he said. "I don't see myself as that. No, I don't. You know, maybe that's just my way of trying to provide me with some sort of motivation to try to get better, too, to try to work hard at it to keep moving my way up."

Reach David Westin at (706) 823-3224 or david.westin@augustachronicle.com.