It came down to who was going to hit a great shot to capture the 69th Herman Sani Tournament presented by Coppola Enterprises.

Zach Steffen (pictured above), a professional from Des Moines, was the one who answered the bell, even though it didn’t look promising before he hit the shot of the tournament, which came in a playoff.

Steffen, who posted the low score of the day with 66 (-6) just to get into a playoff with Broc Everett and J.D. Anderson, hit a towering wedge shot from the rough under one tree, over another that nearly went in the hole on #18 at Hyperion Field Club.

Steffen’s ball would settle above the hole and he would convert the birdie after Everett’s chip from just short of the green narrowly missed and Anderson’s putt slid by the hole for birdie. Steffen commented after the round it wasn’t as easy as it looked.

“I knew I needed some help going into today,” Steffen said. “If Broc shoots 63 again I would have no chance. I knew I needed to keep making birdies and go as low as possible. Especially on the back nine, I knew I needed to keep the pressure on (Everett and Anderson).

Even tough his tee shot in the playoff, at first glance didn’t look ideal, he was in a position he felt comfortable with.

“In regulation I hit three wood and was too close to the green to spin it,” Steffen said. “In the playoff I hit hybrid and hooked it a little. I got break where I was at and could get under one tree and over the next. I have practiced that shot a lot and can hit a really high 60 degree (wedge). I had a good number and ball hit the front and almost went in they said. I was hoping it wasn’t six feet above the hole because I know how fast it is, but I was fortunate enough to make it.”

Steffen’s day included seven birdies, all in a 13-hole stretch, and just a lone bogey.

“I wanted to give myself as many chances as possible today,” Steffen said. “I love these greens. It gives me a lot of confidence. I have played well here in the past.”

In the Senior Division, Joe Palmer charged back with a 68 (-4) to finish two shots clear of Robert Dickerman. Palmer come home in 33 (-3), including a pair of birdies in the last four holes.

In the Super Senior Division (new in 2018), Rob Christensen won by four strokes over Dave Sergeant. Christensen shot rounds of 74-69-74 to finish at 217 (+1).

Click here for a full recap of scoring.