Bradley Smithson Wins the Michigan Open

Michigan State rising junior Bradley Smithson won the Turtle Casino Michigan Open on Wednesday at Grand Traverse Resort. Smithson is just the fifth amateur to win the professional event in its 104-year history.

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"It's very special," Smithson said. "It's the state open and as a golfer at MSU and living in Michigan my whole life, it's something I've always looked to.

"My dad has played in the event for a long time, so I've been coming up (to the event) every year for the last 14 years. It's very cool and now getting it done myself kind of tops it all off."

"This is an incredible accomplishment for Brad and for the program," MSU head coach Casey Lubahn said. "Very few amateurs have won this event and to win it when leading wire-to-wire is an impressive statement."

Smithson led after every round but found himself down with one hole to play in the final round. Smithson was able to birdie the 18^th hole, while Patrick Wilkes-Krier recorded a bogey to send it to a playoff as both were tied at 13-under-par 275.

In the playoff, the two again played the 18^th and both recorded birdies to extend the match. Smithson did so in dramatic fashion with a chip in from just off the green.

They then headed to the 16^th, a par-4, where Smithson sank a 15-foot putt for his third straight birdie which wound up giving him the title.

"It all started with birdying the 18^thhole," Smithson said. "To make that was the biggest. The chip-in was unbelievable – I don't know how I did it. To make birdie on the second playoff hole was awesome."

Smithson credits his mindset throughout the tournament on helping him earn the win and knows it will give him an enormous boost when he returns to campus this fall.

"I just tried to stick to my plan and stay committed to that," Smithson said. "It worked well the first three rounds and I just kept grinding away at the end.

"This is my lowest 72-hole score ever, so it's huge for my confidence especially for coming back in the fall."

Smithson is the first Spartan to win the Michigan Open since current PGA professional Ryan Brehm in 2014. Brehm also won in 2009 and '10.

Players Mentioned

Bradley Smithson

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