GIG HARBOR — Josh Immordino, a 24-year-old amateur from Riverbend Golf Course in Kent, won the Washington Open Invitational Wednesday by hitting one fewer tree than Tony Robydek on the fourth playoff hole.
Robydek, 35, an assistant pro at the host Canterwood Golf and Country Club, had forced the playoff by dramatically getting up and down from the front bunker on the 18th hole, sinking a 12-foot birdie putt. Immordino had bogeyed the 18th, missing a 7-foot par putt.
After three playoff holes, Robydek pulled his drive "just a tiny bit" on the par-4 13th hole into a dogwood tree about 120 yards from the tee.
Robydek gambled on his next shot and wound up hitting into a cedar tree 30 yards ahead. From there, he hit into a greenside bunker and wound up two-putting from 40 feet for a double-bogey six.
Immordino's second shot clipped a Douglas fir branch and he was left 15 yards off the green. He chipped to 6 feet and two-putted for the win.
It was the first playoff in the tournament since 1993. Immordino is the third amateur since 1986 to win the tournament. He is allowed $650 in winnings as an amateur and Robydek got the first-place check of $5,000.
"This is a huge stepping stone just in confidence," said Immordino, a Kentwood High School graduate who was a three-time NCAA Division II All-American at Western Washington University. "If I can win something like this, I feel I can play on the next level."
He said he is interested in turning pro at the end of the summer.
Immordino said his caddie, Eric Hinrichs, an assistant pro at Riverbend, where Immordino works and plays, kept him relaxed throughout the final day.
"He kept me really calm," Immordino said. "If you saw us out there, we were laughing and joking."
Immordino had entered the day four strokes behind the leader after two rounds, fellow amateur Jim McNelis, the Canterwood club champion.
McNelis, 49, an Alaska Airlines pilot, shot 5-over 77 and finished fifth at 219. A double-bogey six on the 15th hole took him out of contention.
Brian Thornton, assistant at Meridian Valley, and Ryan Benzel, assistant at Seattle Golf Club, tied for third at 218.
Immordino, winner of last summer's Seattle Amateur, shot a final-round 71 and Robydek shot an even-par 72 to finish tied at 1-over 217.
Robydek had a chance to shut the door on the first playoff hole, No. 10, but missed an 8-foot birdie putt. He hit his tee shot on No. 11 into trees but recovered with an approach shot through a high opening between three trees onto the green and two-putted from 30 feet.
Both golfers had routine pars on the par-3 12th hole and the match was settled on No. 13.
Washington Open Invitational
At Gig Harbor
(Played at the 6,874 yard, par 72, Canterwood Golf & Country Club.)
FINAL ROUND
(a-amateur)
| Josh Immordino (a) |
72-74-71 — 217 |
| Tony Robydek |
70-75-72 — 217 |
| Brian Thornton |
74-72-72 — 218 |
| Ryan Benzel |
75-71-72 — 218 |
| Jim McNelis (a) |
74-68-77 — 219 |
| Jeff Coston |
75-72-73 — 220 |
| Steve Prugh |
73-76-72 — 221 |
| Mike Gove |
74-74-74 — 222 |
| Brian Coury |
72-76-74 — 222 |
| Chris Mitchell |
77-71-74 — 222 |
| Todd Erwin |
75-71-76 — 222 |
| Richard Lee (a) |
71-79-72 — 222 |
| Zack Shriver (a) |
76-74-72 — 222 |
| Chris Griffin |
81-69-72 — 222 |
| Bob Rannow |
72-76-75 — 223 |
| Tom Mueller |
77-75-71 — 223 |
| Mike Roters |
71-75-77 — 223 |
| Rob Gibbons |
72-80-71 — 223 |
| Erik Hanson (a) |
78-75-71 — 224 |
| Rich Friend |
76-74-74 — 224 |
| Louie Runge |
77-74-73 — 224 |
| Birk Nelson |
77-70-78 — 225 |
| Brad Leiken |
77-71-77 — 225 |
| Michael Combs |
74-74-77 — 225 |
| Fred Haney |
78-73-74 — 225 |
| Keith Crimp (a) |
73-78-74 — 225 |
| Justin Johnson (a) |
73-76-77 — 226 |
| Tom Brandes (a) |
78-75-73 — 226 |
| Tom Sovay, Trilogy |
77-75-74 — 226 |
| Chuck Milne |
72-79-75 — 226 |
| Mike Schoner |
82-76-69 — 227 |
| Paul Houvener (a) |
79-73-75 — 227 |
| Matt Ristine (a) |
77-71-79 — 227 |
| Paul Bonorden (a) |
78-78-71 — 227 |
| Brandon Richardson |
76-73-78 — 227 |
| Jeff Tachell |
71-79-77 — 227 |
| Tyler Sweet |
77-77-73 — 227 |
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