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Edwardsville pro Chris Brant captured the 9th Metropolitan Open Saturday at The Country Club of St. Albans.  Starting the final round 3 shots back of three others, Brant closed strong with birdies on 14 and 16 to get to the clubhouse at 5-under and wait for the final groups to complete play.

Chris Thompson, playing in the final pairing with Jace Long, had polar opposite nines in the final round.  Thompson made the turn with a 4-shot lead; however, bogeys at 11, 15 and 17 would bring him back to 5-under and tie Brant at the completion of play.

Thompson and Brant would go to Hole 15 for the third playoff in MAGA Open history, the first between two golf professionals.  The playoff format called for a 4-hole aggregate score.  Thompson would bogey the par 3 15th to fall behind one shot to Brant.  After both making pars at 16 and 17, Brant would bogey the 18th to again tie Thompson.

The 480 yard par 4 18th on the Lewis & Clark course would be the stage for extra holes.  Each would make par the first time around.  Playing the 18th for the third time would prove to be the deciding hole.  Thompson drove his ball in the hazard left and would take two shots to get out.  Brant, finding the fairway with his drive, would hit his approach on the green and two putt for par and the victory.

His first professional victory, Brant commented on his win.  “It means a lot, it’s nice to win for my first time and especially for it to come here in St. Louis…this is home for me.  Nice to win at the Open Championship here, it’s a great field and great venue, a real test this week.”

With his victory, Brant adds his name to the James S. Manion Trophy and a $15,500 first place check.

Professional Payout
1  Chris Brant 67-71-67–205 $15,500.00
2 Chris Thompson 70-65-70–205 $7,750.00
3 Chad Saladin 68-68-70–206 $4,500.00
4 Mike Small 70-70-68–208 $3,500.00
T5 Charlie Harrison 69-73-67–209 $2,375.00
Jace Long 69-66-74–209 $2,375.00
T7 Justin Regier 69-70-73–212 $1,625.00
Mitchell Gregson 70-73-69–212 $1,625.00
T9 Jordan Russell 75-72-66–213 $958.33
Matt Miller 69-71-73–213 $958.33
Michael Davan 73-68-72–213 $958.33
Tommy Schaff 72-70-71–213 $958.33
Trevor Dodds 71-71-71–213 $958.33
Zechariah Potter 68-74-71–213 $958.33
T15 Brandon Holtz 76-69-69–214 $712.50
Charlie Holland 70-71-73–214 $712.50
Daniel Zimmerman 72-74-68–214 $712.50
Kevin Kring 72-72-70–214 $712.50
19 Harry Higgs 76-71-68–215 $700.00
T20 Jonathon Krick 75-69-72–216 $687.50
Matthew Rau 75-69-72–216 $687.50
T22 Joseph Kinney 74-72-72–218 $675.00
Shawn Jasper 76-71-71–218 $675.00
Will Hogan 74-72-72–218 $675.00
T25 Derek Tolan 69-75-75–219 $662.50
Jack Ehlers 74-72-73–219 $662.50
T27 Shane Blankenship 75-69-76–220 $650.00
Thomas Buran 77-70-73–220 $650.00
29 Shawn Vanderwal 73-72-76–221 $650.00
T30 Barrett Martens 66-74-84–224 $650.00
Jordan McLaurin 72-74-78–224 $650.00

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