KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (Sept. 11, 2014) — Having a share of the lead after the second round, Jeff Ward shot 74 in Thursday's final round to, in a way, back into a three way playoff at the Pacific Northwest Mid-Amateur. But after three holes of sudden death, Ward captured the title for good with a tap-in birdie.
After all three players, including other participants Charlie Rice and Brandon Lorain, made pars on the first playoff hole, only Lorain and Ward made birdie on the par-five second hole. Ward then stuffed his approach on the par-four third, tapping in for a birdie while Lorain's attempt to tie lipped out.
Lorain shot two-under par 70 to get into the playoff, while Rice shot 72 on Thursday.
The other co-leader after round two Tyler Daniels struggled to an 82 in the final round and dropped out of the top-10.
First-round co-leader Bjorne Bjorke, after shooting 69 in the opening round, shot 72-76 in the last two rounds and finished alone in sixth place.
Ward, native of Bend, Ore., bogeyed the 18th hole in Thursday's round but still triumphed in the playoff.
Ward wins three-way playoff to take PNGA Mid-Amateur
Jeff Ward makes birdie on the third playoff hole to claim the Pacific Northwest Mid-Amateur Championship