COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ben Kohles won the Web.com Tour’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational on Sunday in his first professional start, beating Luke Guthrie with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff.
Kohles closed with a 1-under 70 to match Guthrie at 12-under 272 on Ohio State’s Scarlet Course. Guthrie birdied three of the final five holes in regulation for a 66.
One of 12 college All-Americans invited to the event, Kohles turned pro after finishing his amateur career last week in the Porter Cup. The 22-year-old former University of Virginia player earned $144,000.
Casey Wittenberg, a two-time winner this year who tops the money list, shot a 68 to tie for second with Cliff Kresge at 11 under. Kresge finished with a 69.