Johns Claims 2014 Illinois PGA Players Championship Title

Travis Johns, teaching professional at Medinah Country Club, posted rounds of 67 and 66 at Metmora Fields Golf Club to finish the Players Championship, the final major on the Illinois PGA calendar, at 9-under-par.

Johns was red-hot early in the first round of the tournament on Monday, making three straight birdies on his opening holes. He hit a speed bump on the par-3 5^th hole in the form of bogey, but made a rebound birdie on No. 6. Another bogey on the 9^th hole had Johns 2-under at the turn. He rattled of six straight pars on the back nine, adding birdies on Nos. 16 and 18, for another nine at 2-under-par. Johns would be joined by Steve Orrick, (Country Club of Decatur), in the final pairing as Orrick posted a first-round 67 of his own (34-33).

Johns began his second round with par on his first two holes but took bogey on the par-5 6^th hole. A follow-up birdie got him back to even on the day, until a familiar bogey on No. 5. This time, however, Johns didn’t just comeback with a birdie on the next hole, but rather three-in-a-row, dropping his front nine total to 33 (-2). Once again, Johns carded a flawless back nine that included three birdies resulting in a 5-under-par 66, and a whopping 9-under-par for his two-day total.

Rich Dukelow (Cantigny Golf), Michael Smith (Twin Lakes Golf Course) and Tim Streng (Wildcat Golf Academy) posted two-round totals of 138 (-4) to finish the event in a three-way tie for second place honors.

The Illinois PGA would like to thank sponsor Harris Golf Cars for their continued support. Additionally, thank you to the staff and ownership of Metamora Fields Golf Club for their hospitality during the Players Championship.