- Westfield Center, Oh: Jordan Gilkison shot a final-round 5-under 65 to become the first amateur in 44 years to win the Ohio Open Championship Wednesday at Westfield Country Club.

With rounds of 72-63-65 Gilkison, a sophomore at Kent State from Springboro, finished the tournament at 10-under 200 for a one stroke victory over Wright State senior Mikkel Mathiesen to become the first non-professional to win the Open since Bobby Lewis in 1978 when the event was held at Mill Creek in Boardman.

Only five other amateurs, including Jack Nicklaus in 1956, have won what is regarded as the state championship.

Mathieson, a native of Denmark, finished second with rounds and of 69-65-67 and Avery Schneider, from New Albany, was third at 70-67-65—202.

Defending champion Jake McBride (Hartville), three-time champion Bob Sowards (Dublin) finished in a tie for fourth at 203, along with Gilkison’s older brother, Josh, a recent Kent State graduate. All finished at 7-under, as McBride closed with a 4-under 66 and Sowards and Josh Gilkison came in at 69.

Jordan Gilkison, a former Ohio high school Division I state champion, began the day one stroke behind his brother, Mason Lenhart (Cincinnati), Mathiesen and Sowards.

He birdied the first two holes and took over sole possession of the lead with another birdie on the fifth. However, the big swing came nine holes later when he eagled the 552-yard 14th hole after eight consecutive pars.

He hit a 3-wood off the tee, leaving him 255 yards to the hole. Taking advantage of a down-wind, he knocked his second shot to five feet with a 4-iron and calmly made the putt.

From that point on he played smart, conservative golf, content with hitting fairways and greens and two-putting for par.