KINGSTON, Okla. — Oklahoma Stroke Play defending champion Colton Staggs opened with an unassuming 71 in Monday's first round. He trailed first-round leader Eli Armstrong by three. But by Wednesday afternoon, Staggs had cruised to a three-stroke win to successfully defend his title.
The recently graduated University of Tulsa golfer posted rounds of 68 and 70 in rounds two and three and captured victory over runner-up Sam Johnston of Oklahoma Christian University. Both Staggs and Johnston shared the 36-hole lead entering Wednesday.
Johnston's final-round 73, though not good enough for the win, took second place by eight shots, with Garrison Mendoza and Conrad Walcher tying for third place at four-over par 220.
Mendoza, a junior at Oklahoma City University, finished runner-up to Staggs in last year's event. He birdied three of his last four holes in 2014 at Shangri La Resort to finish a stroke behind Staggs, who bogeyed his final hole.
This year, Staggs stumbled to the finish, as well, making bogey at 16 and 18. But his five-shot cushion heading to the 16th tee was enough to do the job.
Colton Staggs repeats at Oklahoma Stroke Play
Recently graduated University of Tulsa senior Colton Staggs captured the Oklahoma Stroke Play Championship for the second straight year