Highlights: Peyton Blackard wins 2025 Evansville City Tournament
Peyton Blackard won the 2025 Evansville City Tournament by two shots
EVANSVILLE — The moment brought genuine shock to Peyton Blackard.
The Gibson Southern graduate stood behind the 18th green at Evansville Country Club with the trophy in hand. This wouldn’t dare qualify as a surprise. Not for the defending champion and one of the top amateur players in Indiana. More so, what it signified.
He didn’t just win another Romain Cadillac Evansville Men’s City Tournament. Blackard joined an elite club by doing so.
The incoming Notre Dame freshman shot a 3-under 67 in the final round on Sunday, August 10 to finish two shots clear of the field at 13-under. Blackard is the first repeat City Tournament winner since Kevin Wassmer in 2002; only nine other individuals in the 96-year history of the event can claim back-to-back victories.
“There are so many good players that have won,” Blackard said. “The caliber of players I get to play against in my hometown is all somebody could ask for who wants to play the top level of amateur golf. It’s awesome being in that company.”
The initial victory in 2024 was a years-long culmination for Blackard. One of the youngest to ever qualify at age 12, he joined the lofty ranks of City champions before graduating high school.
What made this year different? How he was required to win.
Blackard entered the final weekend with an obstacle. He had to withdraw during the opening round of the Hoosier Amateur on Aug. 5 because of a left wrist injury. Blackard went nearly three full days without swinging a club. It’s debatable if there any lingering effects ― the Gibson Southern grad maintains everything was fine ― but a 4-over 76 in the third round at Rolling Hills in his return was abnormal.
It resulted in a two-shot deficit entering ECC. He still trailed making the turn. But his final nine holes were further proof who the field really needed to chase. Blackard went 2-under on the back nine, including three birdies in a four-hole stretch, and held a five-shot advantage with five holes remaining.
A blistering performance of shot making and execution.
“I started putting better today,” he said. “I was still hitting it really good and giving myself great chances. I hit one driver on the front nine and just stuck to playing from as many fairways as I can. When I did get out of position, I left it in great spots to make par easy.”
That’s not to assume it was easy. Luke Johnston, the overnight leader following a 69 at Rolling Hills, was either in front or tied for the entirety of the front nine. Matt Monroe got within two with a birdie at the par-three, eighth. This had the makings of an all-time finish, particularly when Johnston eagled the ninth and Blackard birdied 10 to become deadlocked at 12-under.
The momentum officially swung to Blackard at 11. Johnston came up short on the par three, his ball getting caught in a head wind, to find the water. A triple bogey gave Blackard a three-shot cushion, which he pushed further with birdies at 12 and 13.
Johnston played his final seven holes in 2-under. Monroe posted three birdies in a four-hole stretch on the back nine. Both got within two heading to 18. Both ran out of time to catch Blackard, who parred the final hole with a simple two-putt.
“They’re both so good,” Blackard said. “Luke had a tough shot on 11. It was a good shot that just got gusted (by the wind). Everybody was back-and-forth on the front nine. I just stuck to my plan and waited that a few birdies would drop. I’ve not made a lot (of putts) this month. Seeing the first one go is huge for the confidence.”
The difference came down to the details. Blackard avoided big numbers (only two bogeys in the final round) and continuously was in a position to score. The Gibson Southern graduate unofficially hit 15 of 18 greens in regulation, only missing one on the back nine.
Johnston (71) continued a strong summer with a second-place finish at 11-under. Monroe, the 2015 runner-up who remains an annual contender, took third at 10-under with a 67. Spencer Wagner (68) was fourth at 8-under, and Cameron Weyer (67) earned fifth at 7-under. Rounding out the top 10 were Caleb Wassmer, Reid Lorey, Brayden Lamborne, Daymian Rij, David Mills, Mark Wehner and Chase Emge.
The City Tournament is always remembered for its champions. Although it didn’t induct a new face, that elite club did welcome back a worthy competitor. Blackard not only proved he’s ready for college golf ― his ability to navigate any course and excel against multiple obstacles are among his stronger attributes ― but he earned a spot among rarified air.
“I never thought I would win back-to-back,” Blackard said. “Let alone one this early in my life. Just grateful for everybody that’s supported me and been around me. It shows the tight-knit community of Evansville golf.”
2025 Evansville City Tournament
Peyton Blackard (-13); Luke Johnston (-11); Matt Monroe (-10); Spencer Wagner (-8); Cameron Weyer (-7); Caleb Wassmer (-4); Reid Lorey, Brayden Lamborne, Daymian Rij (-2); David Mills, Mark Wehner, Chase Emge (-1); Cade Schiff, Hank Schreiber (E); Zach Thomas (+1); Alex Cook, Troy Wagner, Jacob Fleming (+2); Logan Osborne (+3); Walker Beck, Thomas Broshears, Eric Brinker, Isaac Rohleder, Wade Worthington, Luke Price (+5); Layne Cunningham, Lucas Ray (+6); Alex Turner (+7); Chad Houchin, Trevor Wagner (+8); Treston Short (+10); Steven Blake Ruckman (+12); Drew Cahill (+13); Blake Merrill, Kaden Gengelbach, Evan Bonnell (+15); Brandon Moore (+17); Chip Tiemann (+19); Dave Turpin (+21); Carson Cook (+23)
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