Hinkle claims first Montana Open golf title

MISSOULA - Lon Hinkle of Bigfork shot a final round 66 to claim the Montana Open title with a one-stroke victory over Russell Grove of Couer d'Alene on Sunday at Larchmont Golf Course.

Hinkle birdied the final hole to win it. He finished the three-day event 16-under par - 65-69-66-200.

Grove also shot 66 on the final day.

Hinkle was a wire-to-wire winner. He had sole possession of first place on Friday, and shared the lead after 36 holes with Scott Longenecker of Helena.

Glen Griffith of Tucson, Ariz., the defending champion, finished third and three shots behind Hinkle.

Ryan Malby of Kalispell was fourth with a 205 total. Malby had rounds of 75-62-68.

It was the first Montana Open title for the 62-year-old Hinkle.

Final Results

a-amateur

Top 20

Lon Hinkle, Bigfork 65-69-66-200

Russell Grove, Coeur d'Alene 66-69-66-201

Glen Griffith, Tucson, Ariz. 70-65-68-203

Ryan Malby, Kalispell 75-62-68-205

Brandon Kearney, Bend, Ore. 69-70-67-206

a-Brian Beach, Missoula 71-70-67-208

Kyle Cianflone, Hamilton 69-69-70-208

Scott Longenecker, Helena 67-67-74-208

Brian Nosler, Portland 66-71-71-208

a-Jay Guittard, S. Leandro, Calif. 69-71-70-210

Justin Ellis, Mt. Home, Idaho 68-74-68-210

Mike Hamblin, Twin Falls, Idaho 71-70-69-210

Eddy Heinen, Ventura, Calif. 71-70-70-211

a-Bill Dunn, Missoula 71-70-71-212

a-Spencer Williams, G. Falls 74-69-69-212

Ben Kreger, Anthem, Ariz. 75-68-71-214

Tom Sanderson, S. Valley, Idaho 69-75-70-214

Ron Ptacek, Boise 72-73-71-216

a-Tim Garden, Missoula 77-70-70-217

a-Kurt Kueffler, Missoula 74-74-70-218

Also

Cameron Milton, Polson 75-73-74-222

Greg Morris, Whitefish 76-76-77-229

a-Don Walter, Kalispell 78-77-79-234

a-Brant Beaudry, Bigfork 82-78-79-239

a-Jon Lowry, Kalispell 79-81-79-239

Tim Olson, Whitefish 78-79-82-239

James Moore, Whitefish 83-85-74-242

a-Dan Anderson, Kalispell 86-89-91-266

a-Brad Ridgeway, Whitefish 92-86-89-267