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

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