Bo Van Pelt won the US Bank Championship in Milwaukee, coming through a playoff against John Mallinger at the second extra hole. It’s the American’s first win in 229 starts on the PGA Tour.
On a supremely low scoring day, Van Pelt and Mallinger scored 64 and 65 respectively to finish on four-round totals of 13-under-par, one clear of Jerry Kelly who also closed with an excellent 65.
The pair made their way back to the 18th tee to settle the tournament over, sudden-death, extra holes. Van Pelt could have won it on the first playoff hole as he left himself a 13-foot putt for eagle that he narrowly missed.
On the second extra hole, Mallinger’s second shot found a greenside bunker and, when he failed to get up-and-down, Van Pelt was left with two putts to take the title. It should have been a formality but the 34-year-old made it hard for himself.
"Twenty feet, two putts to win, I'd get that done no problem, like that'd be the easiest thing," Van Pelt said. "Sure enough, that's what I had and, sure enough, I leave it three feet short."
But Van Pelt composed himself to tap in and secure his first victory in 10 years on tour. "It got to the point where I don't even know if I wanted to play anymore a couple of years ago," He said. "Because I felt like I kept putting myself in these positions, and it wasn't ever happening. It was definitely frustrating."
It did happen this time, however, and Van Pelt secured a cheque for $720,000 and 250 FedEx Cup points.
Mallinger, also looking for a maiden Tour title, battled hard to force a playoff making an eagle on the 15th then a birdie at the 16th. “I felt like I was in the driving seat at that point.” He said. “I’ll take a lot of positives from this though I’m a little disappointed right now.”
US Bank Championship in Milwaukee Brown Deer Park GC, Milwaukee, Wisconsin July 13-19, purse $4,000,000, par 70
1 Bo Van Pelt (USA) 67 68 68 64 267 $720,000 2 John Mallinger (USA) 70 66 66 65 267 $432,000 3 Jerry Kelly (USA) 69 68 66 65 268 $272,000 T4 Dicky Pride (USA) 72 69 63 65 269 $165,333 T4 Jeff Klauk (USA) 64 69 69 67 269 $165,333 T4 Jeff Quinney (USA) 67 68 67 67 269 $165,333 T7 Kris Blanks (USA) 70 63 70 67 270 $104,250 T7 Brendon de Jonge (Zim) 70 66 66 68 270 $104,250 T7 Jason Gore (USA) 66 70 68 66 270 $104,250 T7 Spencer Levin (USA) 71 68 68 63 270 $104,250 T7 Kevin Na (USA) 69 65 69 67 270 $104,250 T7 Tim Petrovic (USA) 68 70 69 63 270 $104,250 T7 Chris Riley (USA) 67 66 68 69 270 $104,250 T7 Omar Uresti (USA) 69 67 67 67 270 $104,250
Note: Players in bold signifies Titleist ball usage only
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