Josh Persons, 40, from Fargo, N.D., shot 9-under par, following his three consecutive rounds of 69-69-69 to register a three-shot win at the North Dakota Stroke Play at Riverwood Golf Course in Bismarck, N.D.
Persons, a former pro, entered the final round at 6-under par, trailing by one stroke behind Jacob Skarperud, a fellow member of Fargo Country Club.
Persons played an aggressive game from the start, quickly gaining the upper hand over Skarperud, who focused on a defensive strategy and aiming for pars.
By the 15th hole, the outcome was all but decided. Persons led by two strokes while Skarperud struggled, recording three bogeys in his final six holes. Ultimately, Persons secured the title with a final round score of 69, outpacing Skarperud’s 74 and winning by three strokes.
Persons had played professional golf for eight years, where he won an event on the PGA TOUR Canada in 2014 and competed in the 2015 U.S. Open.
He regained his amateur status in 2016 after stepping away from professional golf and currently works as an Insurance & Risk Advisor and Benefits Advisor at Vaaler.
Nate Peyerl carded rounds of 70-72-68 to register a runner-up finish at 6-under, while the 36-hole leader Skarperud managed a third-place finish at 5-under.
