David Gazzolo of Riverside overcame a double bogey on the 16th hole and made two closing pars to win the 117th California State Open by one stroke over Tyler Torano of Chula Vista by one stroke at Bear Creek Country Club in Murrieta.
The 23-year-old Gazzolo, who played at UC Riverside, posted a score of 70-68-64-70–272, 16-under-par, while Torano, who plays the PGA Latino America Tour, wound up at 72-69-65-67–273.
“I knew I had an uphill climb today,” said Gazzolo, who won the Inland Empire Amateur last fall. “I wanted to make sure I had a good lead coming into the last couple of holes, and I did. It feels really good to win.
“I’ve made really good progress the last year and a half. I just keep getting better and better each month.”
Gazzolo joined an impressive winners’ list that includes Walter Hagen, Willie Smith, Macdonald Smith, Willie Hunter, Jim Barnes, Horton Smith, Olin Dutra, George Von Elm, Leo Diegel, Johnny Dawson, Lloyd Mangrum, Gene Littler, Jerry Barber, Roger Maltbie, Kirk Triplett and Jason Gore.
Michael Block of Aliso Viejo, the 2001 champion, was third at 68-71-66-69–274, followed by Kenny Pigman of Mira Loma at 66-72-70-67–275 and Zane Thomas of Las Vegas at 68-68-64-77–277.
Kevin Daugherty of Murrieta shot 69-70-70-70–279 to tie for sixth with Mark Anguiano of Whittier, who totaled 71-72-67-69–279.
Spencer Fletcher of Los Altos finished at 71-67-73-70–281 to tie for eighth with Chris Gilman of Yorba Linda, who wound up at 69-69-73-70–281, and Cory McElyea of Santa Cruz, who came in at 69-68-69-75–281.
David Kim of Buena Park was low amateur in a tie for 11th at 72-73-72-65–282.
