Carson Lundell wins in his fourth Colorado Open attempt
Carson Lundell stood on the 18th tee box at Green Valley Ranch Golf Course Sunday afternoon one shot up on the field, $50,000 on the line, and facing a decision.
The course set-up had been changed for Sunday – the 18th tees were where the men’s blue tees typically are, 50-yards closer than the last three rounds.
The par 5 18th would play at about 600 yards, very reachable in two. But that set-up made the landing zone for most players hitting drivers a narrow pinch in the fairway, between a long bunker on the right and a reedy swamp on the left.
Lundell had played three other Inspirato Colorado Opens previously, finishing in the top 10 each time but never breaking through. He was determined to make this the year he won.
He hit a 4-iron off the tee, then agonized for five minutes in the fairway holding a hybrid club that could reach the green. At the last second he switched to an iron, pointed his shot away from the green more than 250 yards away over yet more swamp, and toward a wide, safe section of fairway. He laid up with honor, and from there he hit to 10 feet and two-putted for his first Colorado Open and the $50,000 first-place check.
Chalk one up for playing it safe…