Jonny Petrin defeated Nick Barney on the first playoff hole to win the 2021 National Car Rental/Central New York PGA Assistants Championship on Aug. 27 at Cazenovia Country Club.

 

After Petrin and Barney finished tied in regulation at 1-under-par 141, the pair returned to the 18th tee to decide the championship. Petrin (Lakeshore 1860) tapped in a short putt for par to capture his first career title as a professional.

 

“This is awesome,” said Petrin, who made his pro debut in this tournament last year and finished fourth. “It’s a milestone win for me. It feels great.”

Petrin needed to make par on 18 to win in regulation but faced some difficulty playing out of the rough on his second and third shots. Barney (Links at Hiawatha Landing) stood and watched as Petrin finished with a bogey, setting up a playoff between the former Le Moyne College teammates. Barney also bogeyed on 18 at the end of regulation.

“I didn’t hit any horrible shots but had a couple of bad lies in the rough and made a bogey,” Petrin said. “Obviously, those shots would have stuck with me a lot more if I didn’t win the playoff.”

FINAL RESULTS

Petrin’s first professional paycheck was worth $1,050. He also earned a trip to the National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship in November at PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

 

Barney cashed $900 for second. As a Pre-Associate, he is not eligible to play in the National Championship.

Three-time champion Ryan McGinnis (Turning Stone) and Alan Savage (Turning Stone) finished tied for third at 1-over 143. McGinnis received the second berth in the National Championship with Savage as the first alternate.

Rob Phelps (Vesper Hills) is the second alternate with Rob Kozlowski (Drumlins) as the third alternate.

Petrin and Barney shot matching rounds of 70 and 71 in the 36-hole event. They were locked in a four-way tie for first after the morning session with Savage and McGinnis.

 

In the second round, Petrin began to distance himself from the pack with three birdies on the front to go 4-under after 27 holes. But his lead vanished after finishing with four bogeys on his last six holes. To his relief, Petrin was able to close it out on the first playoff hole.

 

“I played 13 holes of really good golf in the second round but I stumbled on the way in,” Petrin said. “I was happy to keep my composure, not get too down and grind out a win in the playoff. I’m ecstatic.”