GolfNewsRI

La Salle star Drew Macleod rallied from six shots back on the final five holes to win the Boys State Title in a playoff on Wednesday afternoon at Cranston Country Club. 

MacLeod posted a two day score of 149 in regulation to tie with East Greenwich’s Garrett Carney and St. Rays’ Zach Taraian at the end of 36 holes. 

He would go on to win the first playoff hole with a par to take the title. 

“I was super stressed today, didn’t play well yesterday. I kinda just came into today thinking ‘play some good golf and you’re going to have a chance.’ I battled and I got it done,” said MacLeod after the round. 

This is his first Individual State Title of his high school career after finishing runner up at last year’s Championship. 

“It’s great. You know last year he finished second place. He wanted to win it. He wants to do what Max (Jackson) did and so he has one and hopefully another one around the corner, we will see,” said La Salle Head Coach Steve White after the round. 

The Rams have three of the last five Boys Individual titles with Jackson have two and now MacLeod capturing his first. 

MacLeod’s Back 9 Rally 

MacLeod stood in the 13th fairway six shots back of tournament leader and defending champion Rocco Capalbo. 

“Standing over my second shot on 13, I was six back of Rocco. I told my coach I have to make eagle here, I have to make some noise. He said just stay straight, keep plugging along and I guess in the end, it worked out,” said MacLeod. 

MacLeod would birdie the 13th hole and come up with clutch par putts on 17 and 18, pumping his fists in the air and screaming “Come On!” to the large crowd surrounding the green. 

He was in the clubhouse at seven-over, tying with Taraian and Carney. 

Meanwhile, Capalbo would play his final six holes (13-18) at seven over par(3 bogeys, two doubles) to finish at eight over for the tournament, ending his title defense.  

“I wasn’t really paying attention to Rocco’s group, I was more paying attention to Zach and Garrett. I knew at worst I had to par the last two holes. That putt on 17, I said you gotta give it a run and luckily it found the bottom of the hole and we are here now,” added MacLeod. 

Playoff Time 

For the playoff, the threesome went off the first hole at Cranston and the holes would be played in succession until a winner was established. 

Taraian and Carney both hit great tee shots down the middle of the fairway, while MacLeod’s tee shot went into the ninth fairway. 

Carney’s second shot landed short of the right side bunker, while Taraian put his second shot in the bunker.  

MacLeod now had his second shot from the ninth fairway. 

“I wanted to put it on the green. Coach told me just lay it up into the grass area and get up and down for birdie. He was right, probably a good idea not to go for it there, so yeah,” said MacLeod. 

After laying up just in front of the green, MacLeod chipped it close for birdie and two-putted for the win after Carney and Taraian both were in for bogeys. 

RI Boys Leaderboard 

1. Drew MacLeod – 149 * won in playoff 

2. Garrett Carney – 149  Runner-up by virtue of tiebreakers 

3. Zach Taraian – 13 

4. Brent Rollo – 151 

Rocco Capalbo  

6. Parker Kroll – 153 

Thomas Hanson 

8. Sam Perry – 154 

9. Avery Picchione – 155 

Christian Snowman

Nate Jackson 

Mitch McTaggart