Eric Steger of Pebble Brook Golf Club and Brad Gray of Logansport Golf Club both fired first round scores of 1-under par, 69 at the Indiana PGA Assistant Championship held at Delaware Country Club. The two players continued their battle throughout the entire duration of the final round, where Steger fluctuated with a one stroke lead for a portion of today’s play.
Carson Wattenbarger of Hillview Country Club also jumped into the battle for the lead today, where he sat in second alongside Gray after hole 11. However, Steger and Gray were able to up their game without any bogies on the latter portion of the back nine, thus continuing their one-on-one fight for the lead.
“It was a good fight all day. It was really tough yesterday, so I was happy to just play a solid round and still have a chance today. The putter kind of went south on me mid-round yesterday and kind of carried over into today as well. Even though I played four years on these greens during my time at Ball State, I just really struggled reading them today” said Steger.
Steger was able to pull through with a clutch downhill putt for birdie on hole 17, jumping one stroke ahead of Gray. Both players parred the final hole, giving Steger the victory at 4-under par.
“I am pleased with how I played. Yesterday was a battle as it was very windy. Lot of grinding but today was a lot calmer. I struggled early but I got up and down a couple times to keep the round going and made a couple nice birdies. To fall one short is painful but I will let it drive me and not bring me backwards. It kind of turned match play there at the end, which was a new one for me. All in all, I really enjoyed the experience and am happy for Eric” said Gray.
Steger added “It feels great to win this and be amongst all of my peers. It feels great to come out and put two solid rounds of golf together and get it done”.
Gray, Wattenbarger, and Cody McNew of the Hawthorns Golf and Country Club, all three qualified for the National Championship.