2009 California State Open Champion Mark Warman - Birdied 6 of his final 11 holes on Friday
SAN JACINTO, Calif. (November 13, 2009) -- Mark Warman was six shots out of the lead heading into the final round of the California Open, and things weren't looking very positive when he started at 2-over for his first seven holes at the Country Cluf at Soboba Springs, recent host of at Nationwide Tour event.
The course's tour-fast greens and cool, breezy final round conditions tested players down the stretch, but Warman found his game and putter in the final eleven holes, making birdies on six of them, including the final two.
Several of the birdies were the result of shots to within a foot of the hole.
The victory earned the 28-year-old former SDSU player his first pro title, and a cash payout of $16,000.
"This is great for me," Warman told the Press Enterprise by phone. "My game's been pretty good for a while now and I've just been waiting to get a break or two -- now I'm hoping this is it."
Lucas Lee of Torrance finished one shot back, while 36 hole leader Ryan Yip slides to a final round 75 and finished in a tie for third.
Bryan Martin of Thousand Oaks continued his steady play and took low-amateur honors at 3-under-par. Five mid-round bogeys almost cost Martin that honor, but he righted the ship and birdied the final two.
14-year-old sensation Rico Hoey of Rancho Cucamonga may have stolen the spotlight despite finishing one behind Martin.
Hoey's rounds of 67-76-68 and 2-under par total would be excellent for any amateur, let alone a freshman in high school. His round on Friday included six birdies, one double, and one bogey. Hoey finished with a birdie on the 18th.
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Previous reports are listed below. And complete final scores can be viewed by clicking on the link at the bottom of the story.
DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS: ================ SAN JACINTO, Calif. (November 12, 2009) -- After day two of the California State Open, being played at Soboba Springs, Ryan Yip has a two-shot lead over Scott Phegley. The 36 hole-cut fell at 146 (scores available by clicking link below).
Bryan Martin, 23, of Thousand Oaks fired a second round 65 to easily make the cut at 138 and pass all of the other amateurs in the field. The next best amateur in the field, high schooler Rico Hoey, (who posted 67 in the first round) slid to a 76 and is at 143, 5-shots behind Martin but easily under the 36-hole cut.
Play begins Friday at 7:30am.
ROUND 1 HIGHLIGHTS: ================= 1:42:29 PM: California State Open Day 1 off to an exciting start with strongest field in recent history!
1:59:54 PM: Unofficially, youngest participant in California State Open History, SCPGA Jr Tour Player, 14 yr old Rico Hoey (a) shoots impressive 67! He finished the day as leading amateur.
2:22:10 PM: Score of 66 puts Tyler Ley at the top of the leaderboard after morning wave.
2:33:47 PM: 50 years after Jerry Barber wins California State Open, grandson Tommy Barber is following the legacy with a first round 67. One shot back.
At the end of the day, it was Ryan Yip pacing the field after firing a 65 to lead Tyler Ley by one.
California State Open: Top Finishers
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International