Michigan Open Round 4: Brehm Wins

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Ryan Brehm held off Joey Garber to win the 2014 Michigan Open by two shots.

Brehm finished with a 20-under 268 at the Prestwick Village Golf Club.

As the winner of the James Standish trophy, Brehm took home $8, 500 and a one-year lease from LaFontain on a new Cadillac. He is a three-time winner, having won the event in 2009 and 2010.

Full press release follows:

RYAN BREHM HOLDS OFF JOEY GARBER CHARGE TO WIN MICHIGAN OPEN FOR THIRD TIME

HARTLAND – Ryan Brehm and his long game is not short on state championship trophies.

The 28-year-old PGA Tour Canada golfer has three after winning the 97th Michigan Open Championship presented by LaFontaine Cadillac at Prestwick Village Golf Club Thursday.

The Mount Pleasant native, Grand Rapids resident and former Michigan State star shot a closing 1-over-par 73 and had to hold off a the charge of Petoskey’s Joey Garber, who shot 68 and after nine holes of play in the final round was within one shot.

“It’s a lot of relief right now after a long day,” said Brehm, who finished with a 20-under-par total of 268, two shots better than Garber (270) and seven better than six-time Michigan Open champion Scott Hebert of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa (275).

“I started the day with a large lead and it was difficult to get the right mind-set throughout the day. Joey Garber played an awesome round of golf, too. He put a whole lot of pressure on me. I tried to stay patient and do the things I needed to do to win. It feels really good to have pulled it off.

For the victory he garnered $8,500 and a one-year lease from LaFontaine on a new Cadillac. He also will have his name inscribed on the James Standish Trophy. He is listed twice already having won the Michigan Open in 2009 and ’10.

“This tournament means so much to me because it is at home, in Michigan and honestly I feel every win gets me one step closer to my goal, which is to play at the highest level,” he said. “It’s not about the money or the car, though those are really great and I will enjoy them. It’s about the satisfaction of accomplishing something, getting the job done.”

Brehm set a Prestwick course record with a 9-under-par 63 in the third round Wednesday which gave him a seven-shot lead to start the day.

Garber, making his professional debut after a stellar college career at the University of Georgia, started on fire with five birdies in the first seven holes, and was within one shot after Brehm pushed a 5-iron shot over the ninth green and then three-putted for a double-bogey 6. Brehm birdied No. 10 though, matched Garber’s birdie at No. 15 and saved a clutch par from in front of the green at No. 17.

“I was feeling good with the putter when I was 5-under through seven, and I thought I could roll some in late if I needed,” Garber said. “They just didn’t fall and Ryan did exactly what he had to do. He played a great back nine given the circumstances. I’m pleased for him and for myself for giving it a great shot.”

Garber picked up a check of $5,000, Hebert took home $4,000 after his closing 70 and Andy Ruthkoski of Muskegon, the 2007 Michigan Open champion, tied for fourth at 277 with low amateur Alexander Dombrowski, a Princeton University golfer from Gaylord. Ruthkoski shot 72 to close and Dombrowski shot 68.

Willie Mack III of Grand Blanc, a co-leader with Brehm after each of the first two rounds, finished with a 75 for 278 and sixth place.

Brehm said he didn’t let himself think about the win, the money or the Cadillac on Wednesday night.

“I don’t even know how to feel about winning a Cadillac,” he said. “I’m thinking it might just be out of my league, but I’m really going to enjoy driving it.”

Visit http://www.michiganpgagolf.com for scores, photos and more.

Media contact: Greg Johnson 616-560-8995 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

photo identifications: 1. Ryan Brehm with Crystal trophy. 2. Ryan Brehm sizes up a critical par putt at No. 17.

2 thoughts on “Michigan Open Round 4: Brehm Wins”

  1. Joey Garber originally enrolled at the University of Michigan.  At the time it was quite the boost for the U of M squad but things did not work out.  Good to see he landed on his feet.

    Reply

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