Lysher Wins TOC at Calderone Golf Club

Cody Lysher follows through on a drive during the Tournament of Champions Sunday at Calderone Golf Club.  Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

(September 13, 2020 4:42 PM) Shooting seven birdies in one 18-hole round normally results in a score in the 60s.

Not for Cody Lysher on Sunday.

Lysher birdied seven holes at Calderone Golf Course during the Tournament of Champions Golf event Sunday, but shot an even-par 72.

It was good enough to win his second major championship in Jackson County – having won the Jackson County Open in 2016.

Lysher defeated Cannon Risner, Tom Butterfield, and Riley Hestwood by one stroke in the annual tournament.

Mike Brockie shot 74, Bret Valkuchak finished with a 75, Joey Badall shot 77, and Justin Bunch carded a 78.

Golfers have to win a local major tournament, a junior major, or be in the top 10 in points to qualify for the tournament.

Lysher has qualified the last seven or eight years based on points.

“On a day when you make seven birdies, you don’t expect to shoot even par,” Lysher said. “But that is the way golf is … it is very humbling.

“That is what I like about the sport.”

Lysher birdied the first hole and had four consecutive birdies on holes 5-8. A tricky pin placement on No. 9 lead to a four-putt double bogey. He finished the front nine with a 2-under-par 34.

“I just had to forget that happened and move one to the next hole,” Lysher said. “I birdied 10 and suddenly the 4-putt didn’t matter.”

Lysher birdied one more hole on the back nine and appeared to be cruising to the win. A four-over stretch on holes 16-18 put brough Lysher back to the field.

He made a world-class par on 18 after hitting his drive into the water on the par 4 hole.

“After my drop, I hit a perfect shot and made a 7-foot putt for par,” Lysher said. “That was the one shot that I needed.

“I am blessed to keep playing good golf for a long stretch.”

Lysher said he looks forward to playing competitive golf again next spring.

“I had finished runner-up in a couple of tournaments, so it is good to win again,” Lysher said. “Golf is a game of perseverance and dealing with the ups and downs.”

And he proved that on Sunday in the TOC.

Jackson County Tournament of Champions

Calderone Golf Club, par 72

Cody Lysher 72

Cannon Risner 73

Tom Butterfield 73

Riley Hestwood 73

Mike Brockie 74

Bret Valkuchak 75

Joey Badall 77

Justin Bunch 78