Defending champion Jake McBride finishes tied for fourth in 101st Ohio Open
WESTFIELD CENTER — Jake McBride's bid for back-to-back titles fell just short.
The former Lake High School and North Carolina State University golfer finished in three-way tie for fourth at the 101st Ohio Open at Westfield Country Club. McBride shot 4-under 66 in Wednesday's final round and ended up 7-under overall, three shots behind champion Jordan Gilkison.
A Kent State sophomore, Gilkison became the first amateur since Bobby Lewis in 1978 to win the Ohio Open. Only five other amateurs have won the event, including Jack Nicklaus in 1956.
McBride beat Justin Lower in a playoff to win the 2021 Ohio Open. He entered the final round of this year's event tied for 10th, but just three shots off the lead on a crowded leaderboard.
Ohio Open - Round 2: Jake McBride three shots back on crowded leaderboard as final round looms
McBride opened with three birdies on his first four holes and fired a 31 on the front nine. However, he could not catch Gilkison. The Springboro native eagled the par-5 No. 14 during a bogey-free round of 5-under 65. He finished at 10-under overall, one shot ahead of Denmark native Mikkel Mathiesen.
Gilkison started the day one shot off the lead. He birdied his first two holes and took sole possession of the lead with another birdie on No. 5.
Gilkison's eagle on the 552-yard 14th hole came after a string of eight straight pars.
Avery Schneider was third at 8-under. Three-time Ohio Open champion Bob Sowards and Josh Gilkison, Jordan's older brother, finished tied with McBride for fourth.
Ohio Open - Round 1: Defending champion Jake McBride tied for lead after first round of 101st Ohio Open
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Jordan Gilkison holds off Jake McBride, strong field, to win Ohio Open
