PHOENIX, Md. – After knocking on the door the previous three years, former Towson University golfer Ryan Siegler became the third Towson Tiger to win the 102^nd Maryland Open with a wire-to-wire victory. After shooting consecutive rounds of 65 at Hillendale Country Club Course on Monday and Tuesday, the 29-year-old fired a 68 on Wednesday.

During the 54-hole tournament, the 2016 Towson graduate made 21 birdies, three bogeys and 30 pars to finish at 18-under, four shots ahead of Brandon Berry. Defending champion Evan Katz finished third at -13. All three shot 4-under par 68 on Wednesday.

"To have only three bogeys with how small the greens are at this place was awesome," said Siegler. "To go wire-to-wire makes it more special because you sleep a little less each night with the lead. I was playing well coming into the week, so be able to take advantage of my good play was fun."

Towson Athletics Hall of Famer Billy Wingerd, who won the event in 2007, finished in a three-way tie for fifth place at 8-under par after rounds of 66-71-71. The 2005 Towson graduate then defeated Carlo Pizzano on the third playoff hole to earn low amateur. Kevin Johnson was eliminated after the second playoff hole.

Siegler made seven birdies without a bogey on Monday and led Wingerd by a shot. On Tuesday, he made seven birdies during a 10-hole stretch between holes six and 15 to build a four-stroke advantage heading into today's final round.

Siegler held a three-stroke advantage after the opening nine holes, but the lead was down to two with four holes to play. Siegler gained a stroke on Berry on the 15^th hole when he made par.  He then went up four strokes with a terrific birdie on 17. After driving the ball left of the fairway, he chipped on to the green and made his birdie putt.

"The drive was horrible, but I got lucky that it missed the trees," Siegler said. "I was able to hit it over the shorter tree and landed it just over the bunker and it rolled to within four feet of the hole. When I made the putt, I knew I was in control."

Turning professional in 2018, Siegler has earned status on both the Korn Ferry and PGA Canada tours. He has finished in the top five in the last three Maryland Open tournaments, including a tie for second place a year ago.  He finished third in 2020 and tied for fifth place in 2021.

The other Towson Tiger to win the Maryland Open was David Hutsell (class of 1992), who was victorious in 2011.

Eight of the 128 golfers who teed it up at the Maryland State Golf Association (MSGA) event were either current or former Towson University golfers. Hutsell, Mike Larkin, Brad Riley, Adam Argenbright and Jai Sheth failed to advance to Wednesday's final round. Chris Baloga withdrew with a back injury after Wednesday's opening round.  

Previous winners include Fred Funk, who won 29 professional tournaments including the 2005 Players Championship and the 2009 U.S. Senior Open, and Denny McCarthy, who has seven top 10 finishes on the PGA Tour this season and is currently ranked 32nd in the World Golf rankings.