McCarty dominates par 5s on way to Iowa Open title

By Rick Brown, Des Moines Register

In Sean McCarty’s perfect world, a golf course would play to a par of 90. Every hole would be a par 5.

"That would be my dream golf course, I’ll tell you that," McCarty said after winning his third Iowa Open golf championship Saturday at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club.

McCarty finished three shots in front of Jason Knutzon after a final-round 74 and a 54-hole total of 9-under-par 210. McCarty also collected a first-prize check of $5,482.

Known for his prodigious length off the tee, McCarty was 11 under par for the championship on the South Course’s five par-5 holes.

"It’s obviously a benefit if you can bomb them out there and keep them in play," said McCarty, 35, the head pro at Brown Deer in Coralville.

McCarty had two eagles and eight birdies on the 15 par-5 holes he played. He also had four pars and one bogey, when he lost his drive right on No. 16 during the second round and was penalized stroke and distance.

McCarty, who also won the Iowa Open in 1997 and 2005, added the title to the Herman Sani Invitational championship he won earlier this month.

McCarty won both with a heavy heart. His mother, Mary, died of cancer in December. His father, Mike, died of a heart attack in May.

"Every good shot I hit, I thank them," Sean said.

McCarty, a father of four, got some help from his 9-year-old daughter Grace, who rode in the golf cart with him all three days and showed a talent for filling divots.

"It was fun to have her along," he said. "When we were on No. 13, she already had drawn up a plan for me on No. 16. She said, ‘Let’s hit it down the middle, not over there by that house (like Friday).’ She was looking out for me."

McCarty started the final round with a three-shot lead over Knutzon and six over defending champion Jon Olson. All three spent most of the day treading water.

"It didn’t seem like any of us could get anything going," McCarty said.

Knutzon, who also closed with a 74 and won $4,386, came to the first tee in white pants his wife wanted him to wear.

"I ruined them on the first hole," Knutzon said.

His first drive went left, nearly landing in a creek. He tried to hit a shot from a soggy lie, knocked it in a hazard and stepped in the water after losing his balance. Knutzon made double bogey. McCarty three-putted for bogey.

McCarty’s lead fluctuated between three and five shots over Knutzon and Olson, who finished third at 215.