Springboro grad first amateur to win Ohio Open since 1978

Jordan Gilkison shoots 65 in final round.

Springboro High School graduate Jordan Gilkison became the first amateur in 44 years to win the Ohio Open on Wednesday.

Gilkison, a sophomore at Kent State who won the Division I state championship as a senior in 2020 and was named Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year in May, shot 10-under (72-63-65) at Westfield Country Club in Westfield Center. He beat Wright State senior Mikkel Mathiesen, of Denmark, by one stroke.

Gilkison is the fifth amateur to win the Ohio Open, which is regarded as the state championship. Jack Nicklaus won as an amateur in 1956. The last non-professional to win the event was Bobby Lewis in 1978.

Gilkison began the final round one stroke back of the leaders: his brother Josh Gilkison, who won the MAC individual championship in May and helped lead Kent State to its sixth straight title; Mason Lenhart, of Cincinnati; Mathiesen; and Bob Sowards, of Dublin.

Josh Gilkison tied for fourth, three shots back of his brother. Centerville graduate Dhaivat Pandya tied for 12th at 3-under.

Gilkison birdied the first two holes Wednesday and took the lead with another birdie on the fifth. He recorded an eagle on the 14th hole.

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