McClellan claims Tri-State PGA
OAKMONT — Rob McClellan knows the brand of golf one must play to not get swallowed up by the course at Oakmont Country Club.
The professional from Butler Country Club kept those dos and don'ts in mind this week while competing in the 2013 Tri-State PGA Professional Championship.
McClellan climbed his way out of a three-way tie for third place by shooting a 2-under par 69 in the second and final round Tuesday and won the event by three strokes with a final tally of 141, one stroke under par.
He also won the event in 2011 at Allegheny Country Club in Sewickley.
His latest win qualifies McClellan for the 2014 Professional National Championship, scheduled for June 22-25 at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
At Oakmont, McClellan finished ahead of runner-up Devin Gee (144), who was golfing on his home course.
“I've golfed at Oakmont about 15 times and the 69 I shot (Tuesday) has to be the best score I've turned in there during a tournament,” said McClellan. “The course is so tough. If you hit it into one of the bunkers, they're so deep. It's best to just take your medicine, hit it sideways to get it out and hopefully, at worst, settle for a bogey.
“There are not many holes that you can count getting a birdie on,” he added. “Par is a great score on this course.”
McClellan's first round Monday included three birdies and an eagle, but he still ended the day 1-over par at 72. Gee (70) and Wheeling Country Club's Jason Martin (71) were first and second, respectively, entering Tuesday's final round.
“I was hoping to shoot par in the second round,” said McClellan, who teed off at 9:12 a.m. “The greens really firmed up (Tuesday), especially in the afternoon.”
His back-nine effort of 33 began with a birdie on No. 10, a 462-yard par 4. It was one of his four birdies on the day.
“I played smart,” he said. “I used my driver on just six holes and went with a lot of irons off the tee. I kept the ball in play.
“Obviously, I would like to have the lead entering the final round, but when you are playing from behind, you don't feel as much pressure and can be more aggressive. I don't have a problem playing from one or two shots back.”
McClellan will next compete in the Pennsylvania State Open, to be held Aug. 12-14 at Commonwealth National Golf Club near Philadelphia.
