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Vincent Johnson became a professional golfer in 2008 and has made plenty of headlines since then, but not necessarily for his play on the course. But the 24-year-old put on a dazzling display at the Long Beach Open over the weekend, winning the event with a 4-under-par 68 in Sunday’s final round at El Dorado Park Golf Course. Johnson’s 16-under total of 272 was two clear of Eric Meichtry (Murrieta) and Mike Ruiz (Las Vegas, Nev.). Meichtry closed with his third-consecutive round of 68 for a 274, while Ruiz finished with a 70 and was runner-up for the second year in a row. The win netted Johnson $29,000, while Meichtry and Ruiz each earned $14,000. The total purse for the event was $160,000. A contestant on the Golf Channel’s “Big Break” series and the recipient of the Northern Trust Open’s first Charlie Sifford exemption in 2009, Johnson jumped into contention with a 6-under 66 in Saturday’s third round to stand one shot behind 54-hole leader Daniel Wax of Pacific Palisades. Wax struggled in the final round with a 1-over-par 73 and finished tied for eighth with five others. He was the only player in the top 10 to shoot above par Sunday. Defending champion Tyrone Van Aswegen, a South African residing in San Diego, was part of a four-way tie for fourth place at 13-under par along with Garrett Sapp (Cerritos), Ryan Dillon (Phoenix, Ariz.) and USC men’s golf team member Matthew Giles. Sapp also finished fourth in 2009. In the 72-hole stroke-play event, competitors alternated between El Dorado and Skylinks golf courses during the first two rounds Thursday and Friday and played the final two rounds at El Dorado Saturday and Sunday. Past champions have included current PGA Tour members Paul Goydos and Scott McCarron. Other notable finishers at the 2010 Long Beach Open: • It’s been a magical summer for Scott Travers of Lake Forest, and although the 2010 California State Amateur and SCGA Amateur champion didn’t seriously contend in the Long Beach Open, he did post four under-par rounds en route to a tie for 26th. • Mike Miles, Huntington Beach resident and assistant PGA professional at Virginia Country Club, was in the hunt with opening rounds of 66-68. However, he closed with a pair of 74s to slide into a share of 40th place. • Cerritos resident David Oh, who finished fifth at this event in 2009, tied for 14th at 11-under par. • Bellflower’s Kenny Kim, who qualified for the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, finished in a tie for 22nd at 10-under. Visit the City of Long Beach’s Golf website for complete results. ALSO SEE: Van Aswegen wins 2009 Long Beach Open Johnson awarded Charlie Sifford Exemption at 2009 Northern Trust Open |
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