SOUTH BEND, Ind. – After shooting a one-under 70 in the final round of the 108^th Indiana Open Wednesday (July 12), former IUPUI men's golfer Nick Bienz secured the wire-to-wire victory—the biggest of his career.

"It felt really good to get another first-place finish this year and prove again that I am capable of winning," exclaimed Bienz. "After coming so close last year I felt confident in my abilities if I could get off to a good start in the first round."

Play began Monday at Notre Dame's Warren Golf Course, with Bienz carding the low-round of the day—a five-under 66—to carry a one-stroke lead into the second round. The Hoagland, Ind. native would extend his lead following a three-under 68 on day two of the tournament, giving him a three-shot advantage heading into the final 18 holes.

"I didn't check the leaderboard at all during the first two rounds," stated Bienz. "I knew I was playing well but needed to stay patient and steady in the final round."

Bienz's lead would stretch to four strokes after an outstanding approach shot set up a short putt for birdie at the par-4, 372-yard opening hole. "I couldn't have asked for a better start to my round," added Bienz. "Giving myself an even bigger cushion so early in the day proved vital and gave me the momentum I needed."

The advantage, however, diminished to two after University of Michigan golfer Ben Hoagland birdied the second and Bienz dropped a shot at the 410-yard par-4 third.

The four-stroke lead would be restored following a three-putt bogey at the par-4 sixth for Hoagland and a Bienz birdie at the eighth. Both players would card birdies at the par-5 tenth and bogeys at the 245-yard par-3 11^th.

Hoagland, a soon-to-be junior at Michigan, would get back into striking zone following a Bienz bogey at the 13^th and a birdie of his own at the par-4 15^th. Bienz, however, got a stroke back at the 16^th as Hoagland bogeyed after hitting his tee shot into the fairway bunker.

Both golfers drove the fairway at the par-5 17^th, but Bienz was forced to lay up with his second. Hoagland, with nothing to lose, went for the green with his second shot and gave himself a good look at eagle after finding the putting surface from over 230-yards out. After Bienz's third went over the green, he was forced to scramble for par. Hoagland, on the other hand, nailed his 30-foot eagle putt to cut the deficit to just one as they headed to the final hole of the tournament.

"The chip shot at 17 was the biggest shot of the week for me," said Bienz. "Knowing I had to make par to keep my lead added extra pressure on that shot and executing gave me confidence heading to the last hole."

Despite the downpour, the two found the fairway with their drives and reached the green in regulation with solid approach shots. They were forced to wait to putt as the water that had pooled on the green was removed. When play resumed the players came up just short with their birdie putts and Bienz tapped in his par putt, notching his second victory of the year.

The two-time All-Horizon League honoree will now take a well-deserved two-week break before heading to Canada for a PGA Tour Canada event.

"I have played well in some PGA Tour qualifiers, just not quite good enough to get into the events. I think its just a matter of time if I can keep playing like I am," concluded Bienz.

For complete tournament results visit https://iga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/iga23/event/iga2353/contest/17/leaderboard.htm