It was an unlikely pairing for a sudden-death playoff Tuesday at the West Penn Open.

And Sean Knapp ended up on the short end.

Knapp, a resident of Oakmont and member at St. Jude Golf Club in Chicora since 1985, ended the two-round event tied with Dan Thompson, a 24-year old from Johnstown, with a score of 139 (5-under par) at Mystic Rock Golf Course in Farmington.

After both golfers managed par on the first playoff hole, Thompson's par beat out Knapp's bogey on No. 2, a 442-yard, par 4.

Knapp, 45, is one of the best amateur golfers in Pennsylvania. While Thompson is an assistant professional at Indiana Country Club, his win was considered an upset.

"You've got to give credit to Dan for the way he played," Knapp said of Thompson. "He made the shots at the end."

On his approach shot on the second playoff hole, Knapp's ball ended up in the rough and he needed three additional strokes to find the cup. Thompson was able to win the tournament with a short putt.

"You'd be foolish not to try and think of the things you did wrong, just so it doesn't happen again in the future," said Knapp. "But at the same time, I feel like I'm playing good golf right now."

Knapp claims every aspect of his game was strong in the two rounds before the playoff.

He tallied six birdies Monday in the first round and followed it up with five more on Tuesday.

"When you see the separation in the field — only four golfers ended up under par — you have to be doing well in every part of your game to shoot a good score, and I was doing that."

Mystic Rock, located on the grounds of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Fayette County, doesn't lend itself to many great rounds.

"I've played it a few times," said Knapp. "It's a golf course that can entice you to hit shots you shouldn't, and it can also intimidate you into not hitting shots you should."

Knapp has golfed in the West Penn Open every year since the early 1990s. He has finished second in the event twice, but said, "This was the closest I've come to winning it.

"It's a high level of competition," he added. "Having said that, it's only a 36-hole tournament, so there's not always time for the cream to rise to the top. You don't have time to fool around."

Knapp will set his sights on the Frank B. Fuhrer, Jr. Invitational. He has won the event three times and will look for his fourth victory at this year's event, which will be held Monday through Wednesday at Valley Brook Country Club in McMurray.