On a day that saw no one under par, Stephen Conrad’s even par performance was enough to give him the title in the 97th Indiana Open Championship presented by Visit French Lick/West Baden. Conrad, from Syracuse, was able to survive a day where only four people were able to equal par on the very difficult Pete Dye designed course.
Conrad got off to a fast start birdieing holes 3, 4, and 5 to take a seemingly commanding three shot lead.
“After three birdies I felt like I was on cloud nine,” said Conrad. “It was huge getting early birdies and being patient,” he added.
Conrad went on to bogey the 185 yard, par 3, 8th hole, the 430 yard, par 4, 12th hole, and the 180 yard, par 3, 16th hole to fall back to even par. He added two finishing pars to see a two-shot victory over Evansville’s Tyler Merkel and Bloomington’s Chase Wright. Conrad was the only player to finish the tournament under-par over French Lick’s difficult Ross and Dye Courses.
“To be honest, I would not have expected to be in this position,” said the 27 year-old pro. “I pick up a club every once in a while. It’s surreal not playing in any tournaments and winning the Indiana Open.”
Merkel fell short of his attempt to add an Open Championship to his Indiana Amateur Championship from earlier this summer.
“I tried to shoot the best number I could today,” said Merkel. “Stephen posted a great score today, hats off to him,” added Merkel.
The Ball State Junior finished the day with a one-over par 73.
Wright, who turned professional after graduating from Indiana University in May, finished runner-up for the second consecutive year.
“It’s just kind of tough seeing what the winning score was,” said a disappointed Wright. “It was a good learning experience and I get some money out of it too.”
Indianapolis’s Jeff Cook, the co-leader entering the final round, posted a 75 to finish in a tie for fourth. A double bogey 6, on the par 4, 11th proved to put him too far behind Conrad to be able to make a run at the title.
“I tried to hit a cut shot in there,” said Cook. “But even after making double, I still hung in there.”
The 51 year-old Cook was looking to become the first five-time Indiana Open Champion.
“I was pretty pleased for the first time playing in a couple years,” said Cook. “I had no expectations. It’ll be nice to review how I played and go from there to see where I can improve,” added the Mizuno Tour Rep.
In addition to Merkel’s runner up finish this week, he also earned low amateur honors.