Tjoa / Messingham storm back, with 29th IGA Four-Ball title at Finkbine GC
They knew they were in striking distance and the course wasn’t anything new to either of them.
Maxwell Tjoa and Gage Messingham (above), who both play for the University of Iowa, took full advantage of knowing Finkbine Golf Course like the back of their hand in the final round of the 29th IGA Four-Ball Championship. Following an opening round 65 (-7), the duo posted an impressive 63 (-9) on a cooler day in Iowa City – good for a two-shot victory over Ethan Bloome and Tomas Rascon. Tjoa finished the tournament in style, make a sliding putt for birdie after Messingham had pitched to just a few feet following his lengthy drive on the last hole.
“It definably helped (knowing the course),” Tjoa said. “We got off to a good start (in the final round). We fed off each other today. On the front nine today we were bouncing back and forth with birdies.”
Going out in 30 (-6) set the tone for the final round with Tjoa / Messingham never looking back. They weren’t watching the leaderboard either.
“We talked at the beginning that we didn’t want to look at the leaderboard,” Messingham said. “We just wanted to play our game, make birdies when they came and no bogeys. Putts fell (in) today. We knew the birdies were out there.”
Tjoa also commented that he felt the team’s strengths messed well together – especially in the four-ball format.
“Our games compliemnt each other,” Tjoa said. “He hits it long and I was trying to just make pars. Knowing the greens well here was an advantage.”
The side of Luke Meyer / Ben Stewart finished three back of the leaders at -13, while three sides tied for fourth place at -12.