Former Rocket Tyler Riley Emerges Victorious in Professional Debut
7/24/2008 4:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
CONCORD, OH ? Tyler Riley began his professional career with a bang when he won his first professional golf tournament with a playoff victory at the 85th annual Ohio Open on Wednesday at Quail Hollow Country Club. With the victory, Riley received a check for $8,000.
The 2007 Toledo graduate who now resides in Florida entered the final round one stroke out of the lead in second place, but was six shots back of leader Kevin Hall midway through the final 18 holes.
He began his rally with birdies on Nos. 13 and 14. He drained a 12-foot birdie putt on No. 18 to tie Tony Mollica at 205 and proceeded to win a three-hole playoff.
Riley finished with a three-round total of 66-70-69?205 in the tournament.
With the win, Riley joined an impressive list of former Ohio Open champions that include notable past champs like Jack Nicklaus and Byron Nelson.
Riley started his late charge on No. 13, a par-4, when he ran in a left-breaking 20-foot putt for birdie.
In the playoff, Riley and Mollica both parred 17 and 18 during a two-hole aggregate score. The match then went to a sudden death playoff at the 17th hole, which Riley won with a 16-foot birdie putt.
"I thought I was playing great, but I wasn't making many putts," Riley said. "I just kept plugging away and the putts started falling."
Riley decided to go pro prior to last week's Ohio Amateur Championship. He finished tied for sixth in that event, despite shooting a 75 in the third round and finishing with a 287 (70-72-75-70).
"I thought I played well in the Amateur, but I just had one bad round," said Riley, who said his next tournament will be the Habitec Toledo Open at Sylvania Country Club. "My goal was always to play pro golf and I worked very hard to achieve this goal."
