Xavier freshman wins Ohio Amateur title with improbable shot on par-3 hole

Associated Press

KETTERING

Xavier freshman Korey Ward loves Phil Mickelson. He probably wouldn’t have won the Ohio Amateur had he not pulled off a shot that perhaps Lefty wouldn’t have even tried.

“I hit it absolutely perfect,” said the West Chester native.

A day after almost shooting himself out of the tournament, Ward holed a flop shot on the par-3 eighth hole to begin his comeback and then overtook defending champion Michael Bernard to capture the 105th Ohio Am title.

The second-round leader had rounds of 69-68-75-71 to stand alone at 1-under 283 at NCR Country Club’s South Course, one shot ahead of Michael Lewis who had two eagles in a closing 69.

The event’s youngest-ever winner a year ago at age 16, Bernard was in the lead coming into the final round but faltered to a 77 that left him tied for third with Dublin’s Michael Cress (76) at 286.

Youngstown State golfers Anthony Conn finished 23rd with a 297 and Bryan Yeo was 39th with 305.

Boo Timko, the Canfield High graduate, shot 298 to finish 27th.

“Honestly, I’ve played with him and he’s done that kind of stuff before so I kind of expected it,” Bernard said of Ward’s shot.