McLachlin nabs first Mid-Pacific Open title

When Parker McLachlin holed out from the bunker on the 11th Sunday, it wasn’t preposterous to think the 58th Mid-Pacific Open might be won by a golfer who shot 58.

McLachlin, after scorching through six holes in 7-under early, was 8 under with seven holes to go at Mid-Pacific Country Club.

Three holes later his advantage was 10, the wind was howling and rain squalls were rolling in and out. He had his first Mid-Pacific Open championship, 13 years after earning low-amateur honors.

Shooting 58 could wait.

“Conditions worked in my favor,” said McLachlin, who finished with a 68 for a four-day total of 11-under 277. “I got off to such a big lead and the rain and wind got worse. I knew it was not going to be a birdie-fest after I got off to such a good start.

“I was happy to get my scoring done on the front. On the back nine I played as good as I could and I was still a couple over. It wasn’t easy.”

Two-time Mid-Pac champ Nick Mason came closest to McLachlin, closing with a 72 to finish seven back. Four months ago, Mason beat McLachlin in a five-hole playoff to win the State Open. This one eased that disappointment.

“I felt really good about how I played at Mauna Lani,” McLachlin said. “When you shoot 66 the last day with the lead you don’t expect to lose. I’ve played in this tournament a lot of years. The whole goal coming back was to put my name on the trophy.”

The Punahou and UCLA graduate was the only one to break par Sunday. It came two days after his 65 gave him a five-shot advantage. Saturday’s 73 cut that to one, but McLachlin was less nervous after that round than Friday’s. He “found something” in his swing before the third round and swore he hit the ball better, but “scored terribly.”

“I knew good things were coming because I was putting good all week, my short game was good and I hit it really nice Saturday,” he said “I thought if I can make some putts I can do something really special.”

Did he ever.

He hit approach shots on Nos. 2 and 3 to within six feet Sunday to get to 9 under, then drained nearly identical bombs for birdie and eagle on the next two holes.

Playing partner Shawn Lu, a Moanalua High School senior, looked at McLachlin and said, “Wow, this is how you pros do it.”

McLachlin replied with a grin: “This is how we do it on Sundays.”

It wasn’t over. McLachlin’s tee shot on the par-3 sixth came up short and he chipped in.

“He made a lot of miraculous shots … ,” said Lu, the amateur qualifier for this year’s Sony Open in Hawaii. “He just kept making everything. He had a good 50-footer for eagle on five, chipped in on six, and then he just kept going. It was a blessing to watch, it was fun.”

Lu (76—287) won low-amateur honors by an even bigger margin — eight shots — over Punahou’s Andrew Chin. Lu played the final round with two PGA Tour winners — McLachlin and Dean Wilson, who took third at 76—286. Wilson has won three Hawaii State Opens, but is still looking for his first title at MPCC.

Lu was in awe.

“It was amazing, a really good feeling,” he said. “It’s like a dream come true playing with these guys. I grew up reading these guys’ names in the newspaper.”

McLachlin, 36, won the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open in 2008, his second year on tour. He lost his card a few years later and has been trying to get it back since.

Last year, he started to turn the corner with his swing and confidence. He came back for Mid-Pac after missing out on PGA Tour Monday qualifying by a shot at Torrey Pines and Scottsdale, and winning his past two Pepsi Tour events.

Those wins were worth $2,200. He collected $14,000 Sunday, and quite a bit more.

“It was nice to put it together when it counts, on a Sunday when you’ve got the lead,” he said. “Those first 11 holes were some of the best golf I’ve ever played. It means a lot. At least I’ve got something to show for it, rather than shooting 5 under at a Monday qualifier and missing by one.”

Brandan Kop won the Senior Amateur title and Kevin Hayashi Senior Pro. James Nam took A flight and William Enomoto B flight.