ERIC MEIERDIERKS WINS 61ST ILLINOIS OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
HAWTHORN WOODS, Ill. - Eric Meierdierks captured the 61st Illinois Open Championship at Hawthorn Woods Country Club after finishing the final round with a 1-under-par 68. His 54-hole total of 201 (-6) was one stroke better than amateur Luke Guthrie from Quincy, Ill.

Guthrie, 20, began his final round cruising along, making birdie on three of the first seven holes. After his birdie on No. 7, he was 3-under par on the day and 9-under par overall, giving him a five shot lead with only 10 holes remaining.

At the par 3 ninth hole, Guthrie pulled his 9-iron drive left into the hazard. Unable to find the ball, he was forced to take a drop which led to a double bogey. As it turns out, it was the beginning of bad things to come as Guthrie made bogey on Nos. 10, 11 and 14.

"I was cruising along until number nine where they had the pin tucked all the way back and I went for it," said Guthrie. "I ended up making double bogey which started a bad string for me, bogeying the next two holes. That kind of cost me the tournament."

While Guthrie was having his difficulties, Meierdierks, 25, of Wilmette, Ill., saw an opportunity to start making up some ground. The big swing would come at the par 3 11th hole, where Meierdierks made birdie to Guthrie’s bogey. After No. 11, both competitors were tied at five-under par with seven holes remaining.

"The door opened a little bit on the 9th hole (referring to Guthrie's double bogey)," said Meierdierks. "What I've learned the most is to stay playing my own game and not worry about what others are doing. When I do that I like my chances at the end of the week."

Meierdierks would take the lead for good at No. 13 after making birdie thanks to an outstanding approach shot out of the fairway bunker.

"For me the turning point was at 13," Meierdierks added. "I blocked my drive in the bunker and probably the best shot I hit all tournament was the 6-iron out of the bunker and made birdie. After that I thought I was in great position to get to the clubhouse with it from there."

Meierdierks made par on the remaining five holes, good enough for a one stroke victory over Guthrie and his first Illinois Open title after making his debut in the Championship 9 years ago at the age of 16. With the victory Meierdierks earned the first place check of $14,000.

"It's been a goal of mine to win this trophy for a long time and I'm very proud to finally hold it," said Meierdierks. "It's been a great week. This is one of the most important victories I've ever had. To win your state open is a pretty big deal."

Guthrie was vying to become only the seventh competitor to win both the Illinois Open Championship and Illinois State Amateur Championship. A victory would have also been the third consecutive by an amateur in the Illinois Open – a feat which has never been accomplished. Guthrie, a junior at the University of Illinois and member of the golf team, will be competing in the 108th Western Amateur Championship, August 2-7 at Skokie Country Club in Glencoe, Ill.

"I could have hit the ball a little better this week but all in all it was a good week," Guthrie added. "I putted awesome which is a good change because I struggled with that club."

Four-time Illinois Open Champion Mike Small, 44, of Champaign, Ill., had another up and down day, finishing with a 1-under-par 68 that included five birdies and four bogeys. Small and amateur Bennett Lavin, of Deerfield, Ill., finished tied for third place with a 54-hole total of 205 (-2). Small received the second place prize money of $10,000 because Guthrie and Lavin are both amateurs. His four Illinois Open titles (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007) are only one less than Gary Pinns' record five titles (1978 (a), 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990).

The 2010 Championship field was comprised of 156 participants including 57 amateurs and 5 past champions. The first and second rounds were held Monday and Tuesday, July 26th and 27th, respectively. Following 36 holes of play, the field was cut to the low 50 scorers plus ties for the final round that took place on Wednesday, July 28th.

Administered by the Illinois PGA since 1950, the Illinois Open has historical roots dating back to 1922. The "state championship of golf" is a 54-hole championship contested over three days to determine the finest player in the state of Illinois. The tournament is open to professionals and amateurs with a handicap of 10 or less who reside within the state of Illinois. Qualifying events conducted throughout the month of June finalize the championship field to the top 156 players.

FINAL RESULTS