Indiana's Sean Rowen
(USGA Photo)
NOBLESVILLE, IN (May 12, 2018) - Sean Rowen of Greenwood, Ind. coasted to victory today during the final round of the IGA Tournament of Champions at Purgatory Golf Club in Noblesville. Rowen carded a 4-under-par, 68 today, for a two day total of 139, 5-under-par and a back-to-back win at this event.
Heading into the final round, Rowen shared the lead with Tim Cobb of Fishers at 1-under-par. With a birdie-bogey swing on the par-4, 4th, Rowen grabbed a two shot lead that he never relinquished.
"I actually played better yesterady, but didn't get as much out of my round," said Rowen. "Today, I was able to manage myself around the course pretty well and I didn't make many mistakes."
Rowen is a four-time back-to-back IGA Player of the Year, with his most recent win coming last season. He is also an Indiana Amateur Champion and now adds a second Tournament of Champions title to his credit.
"It feels good," said Rowen. "There were a lot of great players at this event and some really good competition."
Rowen looks forward to the rest of the season, and with an early win this May, he has put himself in contention for his fifth consecutive Player of the Year title. Next week, Rowen and his playing partner today, Kenny Cook, will represent Indiana at the USGA Four-Ball in Jupiter, Fla.
"I'm hoping me and Kenny can go down there and make a good run at it," said Rowen. "We made it to the round of 16 last year, so I hope to advance further this time around."
In the senior division, Sam Till Jr. of Fort Wayne came from behind to win his first-ever IGA Senior Tournament of Champions at Purgatory Golf Club in Noblesville. Till trailed Terry Werner of Dyer by two shots heading into the final round.
The duo battled back and forth all day, and by hole 10 they were tied for the lead at 1-under-par.
“On hole 12, Terry took the lead back after I made bogey,” said Till. “And from there, we sea-sawed back and forth.”
Three holes later, Werner carded a bogey of his own on the par-4, 15th and the duo headed to 16 tied once again; but Werner proved he wasn’t finished yet. On the par-4, 16th Werner made birdie to go one shot ahead of Till with just two holes to play. Pars were shared on the par-3, 17th, and Werner maintained his one shot lead heading to 18 – a par-5 guarded by fairway and greenside bunkers.
Werner hit an errant tee shot into the fairway bunker, giving Till a slight advantage and an opportunity to go for the green in two. Werner pitched out and Till put his approach shot in the right greenside bunker. Werner, then, came up short in three and ended up making bogey, opening the door for Till – who played it safe, landing his pitch shot 20 feet on the high side of the pin.
“I thought I had a good read on the putt,” said Till.
And he was right. Till knocked in the 20-foot slider to make birdie and win the event by one shot.
“In 1983, I was runner-up in this event,” said Till. “I haven’t played in a few years because I’ve been down in Florida, but I’m really glad I decided to sign up!”
View results for Indiana TOC
ABOUT THE
Indiana TOC
36-hole stroke play championship for men and
seniors. Eligibility for the Tournament of Champions
now includes anyone who has been a club champion
at an IGA-PGA member club in the past 7 years.
Eligibility is now also open to any player that has
won EITHER their club's match play OR stroke play
club championship.
All past Champions of the Tournament of Champions
are also eligible.
View Complete Tournament Information