With a bogey-free, 68, in the final round at The Hawthorns, Craig Bowden wins the 2019 Indiana PGA Senior Professional Championship by two strokes over Chris Smith. Bowden birdied three of the four par 5’s at the Hawthorns and made no mistakes on a windy day in Fishers, IN.
“I played very tidy,” Bowden said. “No bogeys, got three of the par 5’s and one other par 4. My wedge game was better today than it was yesterday. I was happy about it.”
Bowden came into the final round tied for the lead after a first round 69 put him in the final group with Chris Smith and co-leader, Mike O’Toole.
O’Toole defeated Bowden at the 2018 Senior Professional Championship a year ago. Bowden was +2 in his final round at Delaware Country Club in 2018 and ultimately lost in a playoff.
“It feels pretty good, Mike (O’Toole) beat me last year in a playoff,” Bowden said “I felt like I played way better this year than I did last year. Always bittersweet to come back and win it after getting beat in a playoff.”
Bowden turned a co-lead on the first tee into a one shot advantage after nine holes with two players just one shot back.
“I continue to hit good shots,” Bowden said. “You can’t really think about all that, you have to stick to the process and hit good shot after shot. Don’t let the outcome affect your ability to play.”
After birdies at 11 and 14, Bowden opened up a three-shot lead standing on the 16th tee. Smith, however, hit driver and 7-iron to three feet on the par 5 and made an eagle while Bowden made birdie to cut the lead to two with two holes remaining.
Bowden went on to par the remaining two holes and Smith wasn’t able to catch up on the tough closing stretch at the Hawthorns.
“I just wanted to continue to hit solid shots,” Bowden said. “Make him come to me and make birdies. If he makes them, then good on him but I’m not going to make any mistakes and hit good shots.”
Bowden’s rounds of 69 and 68 were good enough for a two-shot win over Smith.
For final results from the 2019 Indiana PGA Senior Professional Championship, click here.
