Nicholas Dominates, Captures 99th Long Island Open Title

 

HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (June 8, 2022) - James Nicholas of Deepdale Golf Club won the 99th Long Island Open Presented by Stifel Thursday after carding a final round 67 to cap off an impressive performance. After battling rain on Tuesday and tough weather conditions Wednesday, Thursday brought calm skies for the final round.

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Nicholas played solid golf all day, carding three birdies on the front nine en route to a stress-free 33. He recorded his only bogey of the day on 14, but rebounded nicely with a birdie on the par three 15th. Nicholas made par on his final three holes of the championship, finishing 3-under for the day and 11-under for the tournament.

Nicholas had a five-shot lead heading into the final round after firing a course-record 61 on Tuesday and a round of 1-over par 71 on day two.

“Coming in to today I knew I had a pretty good cushion, but my goal was set higher than that," Nicholas explained. "I came in here thinking I was behind, and that mindset helped me win.”

This is Nicholas' first career LIGA victory and his first win since the 2020 New York State Open Championship.

"For me to finally get my first MGA, LIGA victory is pretty awesome," Nicholas said. "Wins in pro golf come far and few between, so, just to win this and to build some momentum for weeks to come is pretty special."

Trailing Nicholas to start the day was Danny Balin of Fresh Meadow, Matt Dobyns of Meadow Brook, and Paul P. Dickenson of Atlantic. Dobyns, who finished in solo second, shot a final round 2-under 68, which included a stretch of four consecutive birdies on holes 7-10. Dickinson finished third after carding a final round even-par 70. Balin finished in a tie for sixth at 2-over par.

Nicholas, Dobyns, and Dickinson were the only players in the field to finish the three-day championship under par.

Amatuer Ryan Rittberger of Garden City Golf Club finished at even par for the championship, earning low amateur honors.