CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - Brett Stegmaier from Hamden, CT needed extra holes and the last bit of daylight to outlast Ken Keller after the men tied at 7-under par 133 in the first Major of the year.
In regulation Keller birdied the 16th to tie Stegmaier at 7-under par and lipped out his birdie putt on the last to take the clubhouse lead. Playing in the final group Stegmaier narrowly missed his birdie look on 16 then after a par on 17 he drove it in the water on the short par-4 18th. He would have to drop on a side hill lie near the penalty are where he hit an incredible flop shot from 35 yards to 3 feet. He saved par and the duo headed to the drivable 10th hole for the playoff. Keller chose to layup with an iron then Stegmaier hit 3 wood on the front fringe. Keller's 2nd would come up short about 50 feet away. Stegmaier lagged his 60 foot eagle putt to 2 feet. After Keller missed his attempt for birdie Stegmaier tapped in the birdie putt to earn the victory and the $10k first place check. Keller earned $4,500 for the 2nd place finish.
This was Stegmaier's 20th win on the MLGT. Keller is still looking for his 1st.
In a second day shootout Tuesday among players who shot 71 or higher Monday, Ryan Skae won $221 with a final round score of 64.
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - Eric Beringer from Philadelphia, PA, Connor Daly from Bronxville, NY and Tommy Kuhl from Morton, IL share the opening round lead after day one of the first Major of the year. The trio of men all opened with 5-under par 65's at the CC of Coral Springs.
Eight men are one back entering the final round. 42 of the 112 players broke par on day one.
With 19 players within two shots of the lead it will be a shootout in the final round.
There were three skins out worth $373.34 each. Click on any of the $ symbols under the skins/total tab to view the skins results.