Through delays, Schmidt stays level to win West Penn Open
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • June 18, 2025
SEWICKLEY — Through the starts and stops, Connor Schmidt found a way to remain centered, walking away a WPGA major champion. Again.
Schmidt, a professional, finished 10-under, winning the 122nd WPGA Open Championship Wednesday evening at Sewickley Heights Golf Club.
“Some of the greats of the game are on this trophy, like Arnold Palmer,” said Schmidt, a Venetia native. “I was close in 2018. I lost in a playoff at Oakmont. I always wanted to get back and into the winning circle at this event. I’m just really happy I could do it this week.”
Schmidt ended up taking the tournament by three strokes over a trio of golfers who ended at 7-under. But the cushion — and the comfort that comes with it — didn’t occur until after his final putt. And after he had to wait out the event’s third weather suspension in the last two days.
“Delays are always tough,” he said of the suspensions, the third of which lasted an hour and began as he was set to tee off on the 18th hole. “I just went to the locker room and kept to myself and stretched a lot. And stayed hydrated.
“The last one was obviously the hardest one. I saw I was in the lead and was trying to stay calm and focused on what I need to do.”
Amateur Chuck Tragesser finished in a tie for second, earning Low Amateur honors. Professionals Rob McClellan and Beau Titsworth also finished runners-up. Amateur Scott Jordan, who held a late over Schmidt, placed fifth, while pros Louis Olsakovsky and Easton Renwick, as well as amateur Hunter Swidzinski, tied for sixth.
Jordan led the competition after Monday's first round at 5-under. He and Titsworth were atop the leaderboard when the second round concluded Wednesday morning with matching 7-under marks.
After the dangerous weather passed through Sewickley, Schmidt still had work to do, leading the event by just a stroke. His drive sailed well right of the dogleg Par 4 and into the rough, setting up a tricky, uphill approach shot.
“I was kind of struggling off and on today,” said Schmidt, who also won the WPGA Amateur Championship in 2019 and 2020. “After the long delay, I just put an anti-left swing on it. I knew I could miss right. It was on a crazy slide slope though. The ball was probably two feet under my feet. Somehow, I was able to put a great shot on it and put it to 15 feet.”
He followed that with a birdie putt that rode a downhill slope into the hole, pushing him to 10-under and solidifying the victory.
“I thought I needed it,” he said of the putt. “I knew someone was at 8-under, or two people were at 8-under. And they were at (the 17th hole), so they could get a birdie. I figured I had to make it. I was super nervous but just had to find a way to make it. I can’t believe it went in.
“I was just holding on all day. I didn’t feel super comfortable in the middle of the round, but I settled in on the back nine after the rain delay. I finally made a birdie on the back nine.”
Tuesday’s second round had to be completed Wednesday morning due to poor course conditions because of heavy rain. Schmidt struggled a bit following during the close of his second round but quickly refocused and got off to a blistering start in the final round, starting five-under through his first five holes.
“It was kind of wild,” he said. “I played very poorly in the morning when we had to restart the second round. I shot 1-over. I needed to reset there. I knew I was capable of playing good golf. I got off to a good start on (the first hole) and then chipped in on 2 from a crazy spot for eagle. I wasn’t expecting that.”
The win is the second straight for a Peters Township grad, as Schmidt followed close friend Alec Stopperich, who won the 2024 version of the West Penn Open and finished 17th this year at 2-over.
It was also a victory that came with some easing of pains – both physically and mentally. On top of the heartbreaking loss in the same competition seven years ago, Schmidt was also dealing with a surgically repaired wrist.
“I had wrist surgery last June,” he said. “I’ve been playing off and on this year. This is honestly the first event that I really felt no pain in my wrist and was free out there. I’m happy it all worked out.”
For final results, please click here. (GGID: 25WPGAOPEN)
For any media inquiries, please contact WPGA Director of Communications Josh Rowntree.
About the WPGA
Founded in 1899, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association is the steward of amateur golf in the region. Started by five Member Clubs, the association now has nearly 200 Member Clubs and nearly 37,000 members. The WPGA conducts 14 individual competitions and 10 team events, and administers the WPGA Scholarship Fund and Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame.