Aurora native Emory wins first career Illinois Open

Aurora native Bryce Emory won the 71st Illinois Open at White Eagle Golf Club with a tournament total 8-under-par 208 to capture his first career Illinois Open victory on Wednesday. "I started off the day believing if I could keep the ball in the center of the fairways and center of the green and try to limit bogeys and mistakes, I could force the field to come back and get me," Emory said. "I figured that was going to be the best play."

The back nine saw Emory play bogey-free with birdies on holes 10 and 14. Emory cruised through the 18th hole with four straight pars to secure his first Illinois Open Championship. Jack Korzon finished second while Charlie Netzel (Western Springs, Ill.) and Tee-K Kelly (Wheaton, Ill.) tied for third.

Mike Small (Champaign, Ill.) was the low finisher for Illinois PGA Professionals. Small carded rounds of 3-over-par 75, 1-under-par 71 and 2-under-par 70 for a tournament total even-par 216 and finished T9.