Oklahoma State University Athletics
Bo Van Pelt Earns First PGA Tour Victory
July 19, 2009 | Cowboy Golf
July 19, 2009
MILWAUKEE, Wis. - Former Oklahoma State standout Bo Van Pelt earned his first career PGA Tour victory on Sunday, defeating John Mallinger on the second playoff hole at the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee.
Van Pelt and Mallinger each finished with 72-hole totals of 267, 13-under par, at Brown Deer Park Golf Course. Van Pelt fired his fourth-straight round in the 60s with a closing score of 6-under 64. The Bixby, Okla., resident previously signed for rounds of 67, 68 and 68.
The duo began the playoff at the par-5 18th hole with each player recording a birdie. The players returned to the finishing hole with Van Pelt once again making birdie against Mallinger's par to earn his first victory in 229 PGA starts.
Van Pelt played bogey-free golf during his final round, navigating the front nine in 2-under 34 with birdies at Nos. 6 and 8. After starting his inward nine with three pars, he reeled off three-straight birdies to climb to 5-under par for the day before adding his final birdie of the day at the 18th.
With the victory, Van Pelt pocketed $720,000 and has now earned $1,521,863 this season. The win marked the fourth time this year he has finished in the top 10. Earlier this year, Van Pelt tied for fifth at the Bob Hope Classic, tied for eighth at the Transitions Championship and tied for ninth at the Travelers Championship.
Van Pelt's previous best career finish had been a tie for second at last year's Puerto Rico Open.
