#1 Seed Prieskorn dominates in Match Play
Mike Prieskorn has held the #1 World Ranking for over a year and showed why with an enduring performance on a hot weekend at the Match Play Championship. Prieskorn ended his first 3 matches in the middle of the back nine, with only defending champ Ed Campbell able to extend to the 17th hole. Prieskorn’s early successes may have been enough to save a little energy as his Final opponent played 8 more holes in competition. Prieskorn’s win is his 9th career victory (T-7 all time) and 2nd Major Championship win. It is notable that both this year’s rookie stars made the final four, along with the defending champ and the #1 ranked player.
Chris Cooley, Ed Campbell, Chuck Withey, Mike Prieskorn
Opening Round Highlights:
David Martin birdied the first hole to strike fear into #1 Mike Prieskorn, but the stroke differential wore Martin down over time. The Dunmore – Gordon match oscillated between all square and 2 up all day until Gordon found sand on 15 and water on 16 to end the day early. Kelly Arnold had Joe Brandenburg down until Joe made a run late, but Kelly stemmed it at 15 & 16. “The Closer” Chuck Withey parred 17 to close out a disappointed Tom Litzler Sr. Steve Villerot had only praise for Tom Litzler Jr. Cooley-Wilson was only the 2nd match to make it to 17 until…. Tom Sachs had Ed Campbell down 1 going to 18 and Campbell nearly drove the green, then chipped up and in for birdie to send it to extra holes. Likewise, Rick Persichetti won 18 to return to the first hole. But both Sachs and Tim Markel creeked on 1 to end their upset hopes.
Saturday Match Play Re-Cap:
Ed Campbell and Rick Persichetti had a rollercoaster match that saw them both up and eventually came down to the last putt with Campbell prevailing. Chris Cooley played well and had Steve Villerot down holes all day before winning 2 & 1. Kelly Arnold unfortunately was unable to continue on Saturday, so Chuck Withey advanced without a fight. In a rematch of their duel at the Big Dog Classic the week before, Mike Prieskorn turned the tables on Rich Dunmore, winning this one 4 & 3.
Sunday Match Play Re-Cap:
In the morning Chuck Withey started a little shaky and with steady play Prieskorn found himself 2 up at the turn. Then Prieskorn caught fire birding 10, 11 and 12 and a par on 13 was enough to secure the match 6 & 5, and prevent “The Closer” from getting to the last hole. Ed Campbell could not get more than one up going back and forth 9 times during his match with Chris Cooley.
Withey and Cooley traded blows the same way in the consolation match including a conceded eagle putt on 14 to Withey who reached in two. With the match all square on the 18 th tee, Withey made a great chip in birdie to take 3 rd place.
Prieskorn started a bit slow after a lengthy delay between matches and was 2 down at the turn. Again Prieskorn found the back nine favorable and clawed back to 1 up by 13. Prieskorn’s armor cracked on 14 and Campbell made it all square. Prieskorn found the “sand” on par 3 15th, but blasted out to three feet making par to Campbell’s bogey. Campbell finally succumbed to the brutal heat and grueling play finding the trees on 16 leading to a 2 & 1 victory for Prieskorn.
