Michael Brown (USGA photo)

Par-less until the ninth hole, the 45-year-old former pro began his day with four-straight birdies making it look as though he would run away with the title. Holding a one-stroke lead over the field heading into Wednesday’s final round, the 2019 Pennsylvania Golf Association Amateur Player of the Year went from 7 under to 11 under in the blink of an eye.

But just as quickly, he fell back to earth, dropping bogeys on Nos. 5, 6, and 7. Gaining a shot back with a birdie on No. 8, Brown capped off his electric front side with a par on No. 9 for an eventful 2-under 34.

Brown leveled out on the back nine with a single birdie on No. 10 and eight consecutive pars to hold off a pair of surging competitors for a 206 total and a one-shot victory.

Rick Stimmel and William Davenport came up just short in their efforts to chase down Brown. Stimmel, who began the day three back of Brown, posted a 5-under 67 which included two eagles (Nos. 8 and 13). Although carding two eagles, Stimmel had one too many bogeys as he finished one shot shy of Brown.

Davenport began the day two shots off the lead at 5-under. Out in 34, Davenport holed out on his approach shot into the par-4 10th to kick off the back nine. Making five straight pars, he slipped with his first bogey of the day on 16. Making it up on 17, the error proved to be the difference between a T-2 and a possible playoff.

Brown credited an attitude adjustment for securing the title.

“The reason I didn’t succeed as a professional was my self-image wasn’t as strong as it needed to be,” said Brown to the Pennsylvania Golf Association. “I told myself this morning, ‘Who here is more prepared for today and Lookaway?’ I said ‘Nobody.’ I spent last night and this morning pumping myself up because I believed I could win. And it was genuine. I love coming here and I know the golf course so well.”