WSU’s Wenzler falls in playoff at HL golf championship

After rallying from five strokes down with four holes to play, Wright State senior golfer Ryan Wenzler fell in a one-hole playoff Tuesday in the Horizon League championships at Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.

Wenzler, the Horizon League Golfer of the Year and defending champion, began the day with a four-stroke lead after shooting 2 under par through the first 36 holes. But Cleveland State’s Anton Krecic began the final round with birdies on five the first six holes and seven of the first 10 to surge into the lead.

Krecic’s lead swelled to five strokes after an eagle at 14, but he finished his round with a bogey on 16, double bogey on 17 and bogey on 18, while Wenzler shot 1-under for the final four holes.

But Krecic rebounded to birdie the first playoff hole, and Wenzler’s 20-foot birdie putt lipped out.

Wenzler, a Centerville native, earned all-tournament honors for the third year in a row while helping the Raiders to a third-place finish.

Junior Chris Rossi and freshman Austin Schoonmaker finished tied for 15th, while senior Austin Sipe was 21st and sophomore Alex Velasco 36th.

Cleveland State won the team championship by seven strokes ahead of Oakland.

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