Ball State University Athletics
Tyler Merkel Earns First Professional Victory
December 08, 2014 | Men's Golf
Former Ball State men's golfer Tyler Merkel picked up his first professional win last week at the United States Match Play Championship in Fort Pierce, Fla.
Merkel defeated two of the tournament's top three seeds, including No. 1 seed Dominic Foti, en route to the title. He topped No. 3 seed Nyasha Mauchaza, a Web.com Tour member, in Friday's championship match.
Merkel went 2 down early in the finals but fought back to win 2 & 1. The Evansville, Ind., native collected $10,000 for the win.
A three-time All-MAC selection, Merkel graduated from Ball State last spring, finishing his career with the second-best stroke average in Ball State history (73.99). He competed in the NCAA Championships twice, earning a Regional invitation as an individual in 2012 and helping Ball State to the Nationals in 2013.
The United States Match Play Championship is sponsored by the United States Golf Teachers Federation, and is the only national championship match play event open to both professional and amateur golfers.
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