Thompson wins second
Open Championship
June 24, 2009
Jeff Rivard, Executive Director
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2009 Open
Champion Dan Thompson with the Championship trophy. |
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Indiana CC assistant professional Dan Thompson, after
missing the cut in the 2008 West Penn Open at Butler,
recovered to 2007 form when he won the Open at Nemacolin
Woodlands Resort's Mystic Rock Course. Thompson won this
year's version with 68-71--139 at Westmoreland CC. He edged
2006 West Penn Open champion Bob Friend, Pittsburgh by one
shot as Friend carded 72-68--140. Ironically Friend also
missed last year's cut at Butler. Friend took a two stroke
lead in the final round by opening with three straight
birdies, while Thompson was three over par after four holes.
Friend had the lead the rest of the way until a tee shot on
the final hole found a fairway bunker and he bogeyed. After
fighting back to even par from three over including deuces
on both front nine par threes, #7 and $9, Thompson bogeyed
#17. He needed a ten-foot putt for a bogey save, falling
into a tie with Friend who had finished earlier. The former
Indiana University, PA, golfer than birdied the final hole
to win the title.
Rounding out the top five were three amateurs, David Brown,
Saint Clair, 72-69--141, the 2004 West Penn Amateur
champion, and two collegiate golfers John Popeck, Washington
(Maryland), 69-72--141, and Nathan Sutherland, Oakmont
(Miami, Ohio), 74-68--142.
Scores were somewhat higher the second round, due to brisk
winds on an otherwise perfect day of weather, as was Monday
for round one. Westmoreland played at just over 6800 yards
and par 71. The fourth score in the 60's, in addition to
Friend, Brown, and Sutherland, for round two was John Aber,
Allegheny, whose 76-69, 145, tied for tenth. Aber won the
1999 West Penn Open. Only two scores were in the 60's on the
first day, Thompson's 68 and Popeck's 69. Eight former Open
winners played, and they all made the cut.
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