Steve Stricker struck another blow for the over-40 golfing brigade in capturing the PGA Tour season-starting Hyundai Tournament of Champions at Kapalua.

Stricker was never headed after first taking the lead on day two of the event to eventually win by three strokes with a final round 69 for a 23-under par victory tally on the Plantation Course.

Scotland’s Martin Laird grabbed a bag load of European Ryder Cup qualifying points in posting a second straight 67 to finish in second place on 20-under par.

The American duo of Webb Simpson and Jonathon Bryd, both with last day 68s, shared third place.

Stricker, 44 went into the final round leading by five and despite a bogey at the sixth hole, the Wisconsin native played his closing 11 holes in five under.

Steve Stricker wins his 10th PGA Tour title since turning 40. (Photo - PGA Tour)

Stricker, who jumped a spot to No. 5 in the world, has now captured nine of his dozen PGA Tour wins since turning 40 in February, 1967.

“You’re able to lose your patience much more at a younger age,” he said.

“You just feel like it’s not going to go your way, and believe me, I’ve felt like that at times, but you’ve just got to keep hanging in there. 

“I’ve been through this enough, and I’ve had some wins recently where I have the confidence knowing that I can come back and I can make a shot when I have to or make a putt. 

“So I just keep telling myself good things.  Even though I sat on the back of the 6th green beating myself up, I still try to flip it around and try to tell myself that it’s okay, we’re still leading, and let’s go and make a couple of birdies. 

“It’s hard and it’s a challenge, but it’s worth it, especially when it works out at the end. ”

The next goal now for Stricker, who has earned close to $US 33m in his career, is success at the game’s highest level and in the Majors.

Unfortunately, in well over 50 Major appearances Stricker’s best finish in a Major remains runner-up in the 1998 U.S. PGA.

Laird was delighted with his result as he remains in Hawaii for this week’s Sony Open.

“I’m obviously very happy with my finish this week,” said the Scot. 

“It’s always good to have a runner‑up finish the first week of the year.  So I am very, very pleased with how I finished the day. 

“I had a little kind of hiccup in the middle there, a couple bogeys in three holes, and making par on nine from a pretty much perfect lie, had a 2‑iron in.

“But I let a bunch of final rounds go last year, and I had a little talk to myself walking down 11, I wasn’t going to do that today, and I set my goal birdieing five of the last seven holes standing on 12 tee, and I did that, so very pleased with that.”