Patrick Sullivan stepped away from competitive golf after winning consecutive Arkansas Opens in 2008 and 2009.
But Sullivan, a UALR and Catholic High graduate, decided to give the tournament a go in 2015 and the decision paid off handsomely for Sullivan as he won tournament at Burns Park and $5,000 with a two-day total of 4-under 138.
Sullivan, who shot a 1-over 72 Sunday after opening with a 5-under 66, defeated Chris Jenkins by a stroke when he made a two-putt birdie from 20 feet at the par-5 18th.
"This course sets up fine for me, but it's tough," said Sullivan who has spent time since his last Arkansas Open victory working as an assistant golf professional at The Alotian Club and Pleasant Valley Country Club. "It never worked out for me to get back here until this year, so I guess you can say it worked out nicely."
Sullivan led by two strokes before bogeying the par-3 16th and par-4 17th, and Jenkins caught him with two pars. Sullivan's tee shot on the 18th put him 203 yards to the green. A 5-iron moments later left him knowing he ultimately would have a winning birdie attempt, but Jenkins wasn't in a hurry to witness his playing partner's coronation.
Jenkins failed to get up and down for birdie from just off the 18th green and had to settle for par and a 3-under 139. Thinking that was good enough to win, the 1997 champion sat momentarily stunned in the clubhouse when he realized had lost by a stroke instead of winning by a stroke.
"I had honestly thought I had won the thing," said Jenkins who acknowledged his lapse had come from getting Sullivan's first-round score confused with that of Hunter Smith, the third member of the final pairing. "I've never done that before in all my life."
Sullivan's 20-foot eagle putt was 1 1/2-feet short, leaving him a tap-in to secure his third Arkansas Open title.
"Unlike Chris, I knew where I stood," Sullivan said.
Taylor Williams, Nick Rousey, Travis Chrietzberg and amateur Louis Boyer finished in a tie for third at 2-under 140.
Maumelle senior Ryan Spurlock was the third top amateur on the strength of a 2-under 33 on the front nine that led to a 1-under 70 and an overall 1-over 143.
PGA Tour veteran Glen Day of Little Rock tied for 14th at 2-over 144 after a 3-over 74 on Sunday. Day, who will turn 50 in November, is gearing up for his first season the Champions Tour.
"I think my game is ready for those guys," said Day, the winner of the PGA's 1999 MCI Classic. 'I won't be fighting those 25-year olds. I'm glad for that.
"I've played a few Web.com and PGA events this year just to get some reassurance. I've played some really good rounds. I had a 63 at a tough course in Alabama [Barbasol Championship], so I feel like I that I can still play a little."
Sports on 10/05/2015