Johnson Marks 16 Under to Win NE Open, Kluver Finishes 4th

COLUMBUS - Neil Johnson carded an impressive 16 under at the Nebraska Open to edge out Columbus and Norfolk natives on the final day of play. Johnson posted his lowest score of the tournament on Sunday, scoring a 64, to bring his total to 197. Johnson says he has been competing in the Nebraska Open since roughly 2005, and this marks his best finish. Johnson edged out Columbus High alum Shane Zywiec started off with an impressive 61 on Friday, shooting a 28 on the front nine, and a 33 on the back, finishing the tournament with a 199. "Shane and I especially were just kind of like trading blows, and making birdies here or there, and then it was kind of like a shootout  at the end, but it was like a slow build. And then at the end I made a couple of really big puts, and one really big sand save, so it was kind of a fun way to finish," says Johnson. Luke Kluver, a Junior at Norfolk High School, competed in the Amateur division, but scored like a pro, taking 4th in the overall standings with a 201. HIs best round of the tournament came on Friday when he scored a 64. "Hit a nice shot on the fourth hole, the par 3, and once I struck that one, and then rolled some puts, I felt like I had a chance to win the overall for awhile, and then didn't make any putts on the back nine really, but it was a good 3 days so I'm pumped about it," says Kluver. Johnson, a former NE Open amateur winner, says he will continue to compete in various quality tournaments as attempts to earn his PGA tour card. Kluver says they were heading out Sunday evening get ready to compete in the Directors Cup, with competition from Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa. Tournament officials stated that Kluver's score is the lowest shot by an amateur in decades. The tournament is in it's 26th year and is held every year at Elks Country Club in Columbus.