PHILIP AROUCA HELD OFF A LATE CHARGE BY MICHAEL SCHACHNER TO WIN
THE 62ND ILLINOIS OPEN AT HAWTHORN WOODS CC.

It wasn't over until the 18th green. Then it was finally there that the 
26 year old Wilmette resident Philip Arouca could take a deep
breath and relax. Arouca would be the Illinois Open Champion.

"That probably hasn't sunk in yet but it will when I cash the check
into the bank, " Arouca said. "This is my third professional win but
it's my biggest win."


CHAMPION PHILIP AROUCA HOLDS THE ILLINOIS OPEN TROPHY

Arouca started the day with a four shot lead over Bennett Blakeman,
with Arouca at -10 and Blakeman at -6. Michael Schachner sat five
back at -5, but after a quick bogey by Blakeman on the second hole
Schachner moved into second place, where he spent most of the
day.

The final round started some four and a half hours late due to
a morning rainstorm. With the leaders teeing off at 1:20 instead
of the planned 9:50.

TO HEAR INTERVIEWS WITH 2011 ILLINOIS OPEN RUNNER
UP MICHAEL SCHACHNER, AND CHAMPION PHILIP AROUCA
CLICK HERE:

Download | Duration: 00:11:13

Arouca built his lead to six shots at one point on the front nine,
before a late front nine charge by Schachner with birdies on
the 8th and 9th hole brought the lead back to 3 shots.

Schachner missed a chance to shrink Arouca's lead to two
shots when he missed a short birdie on ten. But Schachner
was able to stay within three shots on the par 3 11th hole,
when after having to take a drop he chipped in to save par.

Then after Arocua went OB on the par 4 12th hole with his
drive and made a double bogey, Schachner made birdie
and there was a tie for the lead.

That didn't last when Arocua and Schachner both had
short birdie putts on the par 5 13th hole, but Arouca then 
converted and Schachner did not.

Arouca's lead stayed at one shot until the 16th hole, when
Schachner hit his drive into the left weeds. After a bogey by
Schachner and a birdie by Arouca, the lead was three with
two holes to play. Arouca stiffed his shot to a back left pin
to about 10 feet, and calmly rolled in the putt.



2011 ILLINOIS OPEN CHAMPION PHILIP AROUCA IN THE FINAL ROUND AT HAWTHORN WOODS

The par 5 17th changed things again with another two shot
swing in favor of Schachner. Both Arouca and Schachner got
home in two shots, Schachner made his eagle putt from 3
feet, while Arouca three putted for par from 35 feet. Arouca's
second putt lipped out.

That set the stage for 18. Both players hit the fairway but
Arouca was 20 yards past Schachner who now one stoke
down gambled and went  for the back left pin.  But his shot
ended up back near the waterfall and rocks that did in Mike
Small during his duel with Brad Benjamin.

" I had 176 to the pin and into the wind a little bit, " Schachner
said. "I tried to hit a six iron about 180 and hit it too far left. I
tried to make a birdie and made a bad swing and pull hooked
it a bit. I ended up in the bush by the rock and really had no
chance to try and hit it out."

After one shot that didn't advance much except into a bush,
Schachner was forced to take a drop and made double
bogey six. Which left him in second place. Arouca now
needed only four putts to win from the middle of the green
and he took only two.

Both Schachner and Arouca agreed that at times there
was some great golf played by the last group, and other
times it was not so good.

"In the beginning of the round ( Blakeman) struggled with
his swing, then I finally felt comfortable,"Arouca said. " Then
mid round (Schachner) got playing very well. After my OB
drive on 12, I settled down and played the last six holes
in two under par and closed it out well."


RUNNER UP MICHAEL SCHACHNER OF LIBERTYVILLE TRIES TO SAVE PAR FROM THE
ROCKS JUST BACK LEFT OF THE 18TH GREEN. SCHACHNER'S ATTEMPT FAILED AND
HIS DOUBLE BOGEY ON THE 54TH HOLE, LEFT HIM ALONE IN SECOND PLACE.

Blakeman had a birdie putt on 18 for a share of second place
but could not convert. Blakeman and Matt Miller tied for third
place. Ravi Patel finished in 6th place to be the low-amateur.

Arouca's first place check was $15,500, with Schachner picking
up the second place check of $10,000.