Sunday, Jul. 12, 2009

Langley repeats as Metropolitan golf champ

University of Illinois junior wins by three-stroke margin

WILDWOOD, Mo. -- Scott Langley continued to stake his claim as the top amateur in the St. Louis-area on Saturday at the fourth annual Metropolitan Open Golf Championship at the Country Club at St. Albans.

A sophomore at the University of Illinois, Langley shot a even-par 71 to post a three-stroke win as he successfully defended his title.

Holding a three-stroke advantage over veteran amateur Bob Gaus, Langley overcame an early double bogey with steady play down the stretch as he added another major accomplishment to his impressive golf resume.

"I just wanted to play steady golf. I had a three-shot lead at the start today and I knew that if I just made pars then someone would have to make a lot of birdies to beat me,'' Langley said. "I like this golf course. It fits my game well and is always perfectly kept."

Langley, one of the nation's top college players, finished with a three-round score of 205 with a pair of 67s to go with his 71.

John Kelly, playing out of Norwood Hills, shot a 70 to finish second at 208, while Shane Blankenship (209) and Gaus (211) rounded out the top four.

While Langley closed out his victory on a hot day, three metro-east players who survived the 36-hole cut of 148, struggled on the tough greens at St. Albans.

Waterloo High graduates Collin Neeman and Mitchell Gregson finished with three-round totals of 214 and 215, respectively, while Oak Brook Golf Course in Edwardsville pro Mike Suhre finished at 218.

But the day belonged to Langley, who won his first collegiate event earlier this spring in West Palm Beach, Fla.

"That was a big win, but being able to come home and win against a very good field on a great golf course means just as much,'' Langley said. "There are so many great amateurs and professionals in the St. Louis-area. To win here again is just a tremendous feeling."

Neeman, the first-round leader after a four-under 66, struggled for the second straight day, shooting a 74.

A professional for less than a year, Neeman called the tournament and his round "a learning experience."

"I got off to a good start with an early birdie, but then I hit a couple of bad approaches and missed a couple of short birdie putts,'' Neeman said. "But you learn from this and go on. Tomorrow is a new day.''

Not much went in the cup for Gregson either. The Kansas State senior shot a 73, but was disappointed with his finish.

"It was frustrating, because I hit some good shots and didn't have anything to show. I just had the one birdie all day,'' Gregson said. "I hit some poor pitch shots and just really had trouble reading these greens.

"They didn't have a lot of break in them, but every one of them had some. I just didn't see it.''

Suhre, coming off a performance that saw him miss qualifying for the PGA Championship by a stroke, struggled to a 76 to finish well back in the field.

"I figured out about the 16th hole that I was about 10 yards right of my target all day,'' Suhre said. "Some days, it's just not there. But I got to hang out with my daughter and wife for three days. It beats working.''