Rabren’s three-peat comes up short

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Brooks Rabren came up just shy of a three-peat at the 52nd Daikin Spirit of America Golf Classic in Decatur.

Rabren came into the tournament with a lot of confidence after winning it the past two years.

However, the three-peat attempt came up just short when he lost to Drew Mathers by two strokes.

Mathers finished the tournament at 13-under and Rabren finished at 11-under.

Rabren got better has the weekend moved along.

On Thursday, Rabren finished at two-under and was five shots behind the leader.

Rabren improved on Friday with a four-under and then turned in a six-under on Saturday to put him in the driver’s seat.

Coming into the final day on Sunday, Rabren sat on top of the leaderboard at 12-under.

Mathers was in second place with at 10-under and then Matt Gouregeot was on the outside looking in at seven-under.

Gouregeot won the tournament in 2016 while Rabren won the tournament in 2017 and 2018.

Rabren had a strong day in the championship round, including knocking down a 15-foot birdie putt.

Heading into the final holes, Mathers and Rabren were neck-and-neck for the lead.

Mathers got hot down the stretch starting with a big eagle on the 16th hole.

Mathers escaped potential disaster on the 17th hole to help him earn the win.

Mathers hit his drive into the rough and looked like he might have to settle for par or bogey, but a nice putt from off the green found the hole for birdie.

Following that putt, Mathers was able to hold on for the win.

52ND DAIKIN SPIRIT OF AMERICA GOLF CLASSIC FINAL ROUND

1. Drew Mathers (-13)

2. Brooks Babren (-11)

3. Tyler Hitchner (-8)

4. Bryce Lewis (-7)

5. Michael Shears (-6)

6. Sam Murphy (-4)

7. Matt Gourgeot (-4)