Persichetti takes PLAYERS and WESTERN Championships
Rick Persichetti collected wins number 16 and 17 in one weekend – one major weekend. “Perch” claimed the PLAYERS Championship last Saturday at Inkster Valley GC and then followed up with a win at the WESTERN Championship on Sunday at Stonebridge GC in Ann Arbor. They were the 5th and 6th major titles for the 7-year pro out of Dearborn.
Making the PLAYERS field by virtue of a top-20 ranking in the central division, Perch shot an amazing 3-under 69 in tough conditions at a tough course. The 6,709 yard layout at Inkster Valley proved quite challenging as strong afternoon winds forced players to be careful with every shot. The win was worth $48 and propelled Persichetti past Lou Acosta to win the Central Division Money Title ($100.17).
Acosta (37-38 – 75) and Charlie Roy (37-38 – 75) shared 2nd place. Acosta led the field in both driving accuracy (12/14 fairways) and greens in regulation (12/18) but had a pedestrian 36 putts. Roy, fresh from his own double win last weekend, was going for 3 in a row. Tim Markel (38-38 – 76) finished 4th in his best showing in a major championship.
Persichetti overtook Don Morris for the lead in prize money this season. Perch has $172.17 in earnings after the 2 wins.
With Sunday’s more benign conditions and Stonebridge playing to a length of 6,481 yards, scores were expected to be lower. But Stonebridge put up her best defense – undulating greens – to keep order in the world of Mulligan Tour major championships.
Persichetti birdied the 16th and 17th holes to finish at even par 72 – 2 strokes better than Greg Kline. Maureen Abele, leading after 9 holes, fell back to 3rd place with a 4-over 76. Tom Moran finished 4th at 79.
The victory tied Persichetti with Tour founder Erik Meland for most Tour wins. Each has 17 titles but Persichetti now has 6 majors on his resume, just one behind the leader Greg Kline. Perch is the 2nd player to amass a “career slam” – winning 4 different majors. He has 2 Memorial wins (2004, 2008), 1 Harbour Pointe Open (2004), 2 WESTERNS (2006, 2009) and a PLAYERS (2009). Persichetti also takes over the top spot on the MT World Ranking for the first time since the ranking began.
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