Kaylor Steger captured the 106th Wisconsin State Open championship on August 19 at Tuckaway Country Club in Franklin, defeating Mike Van Sickle in a sudden-death playoff. The dramatic conclusion came after Van Sickle three-putted on the par-4 18th hole during regulation play. Steger claimed his first State Open title following years of near-misses in the tournament, earning a $15,000 prize and a lifetime exemption to future events.
The final round featured an extraordinary display of golf from both competitors. Van Sickle held a one-shot lead entering the day but saw Steger surge ahead with exceptional play. A pivotal moment arrived at the par-5 12th hole when Steger holed out a 3-iron from 242 yards for an albatross, only to have Van Sickle immediately respond with an eagle putt. The two continued trading brilliant shots and putts down the stretch before reaching the 18th hole tied at 12-under par, forcing the playoff.
Steger, who turned professional after winning the WIAA Division I state title in 2014, has competed on PGA Tour Latinoamérica and various mini-tours while working toward his PGA Tour dreams. Van Sickle, a 39-year-old with eight Pennsylvania PGA section wins to his credit, finished second and earned $10,000. University of Wisconsin junior Charlie Erlandson claimed low amateur honors, tying for fifth place.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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