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Baker and Johnston Pull Away

Jul 9, 2009

Erich Johnston (a) of Fort Wayne and Chris Baker of
Brownstown pulled away from the field during the third round July 9 in the PGA
Indiana Open at Brickyard Crossing. Johnston’s 67 placed him in the lead
position at 203 heading into the final round. Baker’s 69 put him one shot back
in second and five shots ahead of the next contender, Andy Winings of
Brownsburg who carded a third round 74. But both leaders choose to disregard
the fact that they created a significant separation from the rest of the field.
“I have to think of it as just another round and stay aggressive,” said
Johnston. Baker said, “It doesn’t change a thing. I’m going to go out and make
as many birdies as I can.”

 

A win for Baker would put him in the elite group of Indiana
players to win both the State Amateur and the State Open. He took the Am in
2008 at Wolf Run GC as the only player under par after four days, but finished
third at the Open despite a final round comeback and tournament-low 64 at
Prairie View GC.

 

A win for Johnston, a 20-year-old Purdue student, would be
his first major title. Perhaps the youngest player to ever compete in the
Indiana Open at age 13, he now sits atop a leaderboard of exceptional players
with a chance at victory. “I am learning to trust myself, and it’s all starting
to come together,” he said.

Third Round Results

Final Round Pairings