Micoff claims record fifth Northern Michigan Open title

Jon Micoff has secured his fifth Northern Michigan Open championship, cementing his status as the most successful player in the tournament’s history. The Indian River native won the 79th annual edition at the Cheboygan Golf & Country Club, finishing with a two-day total score of 140, or 6-under par.

Micoff’s victory marks his fifth title in the prestigious August event, having previously won in 2009, 2011, 2017, 2024, and 2026. He opened a four-shot lead after Saturday’s first round, where he shot a 6-under 64. This round featured a critical momentum shift on holes 7 through 11, where he recorded a 5-under stretch that included an eagle on the seventh hole.

Despite bogeys down the stretch in Sunday’s round, Micoff maintained his advantage to finish with a 70. He cited his loss to PJ Maybank III in the previous year’s final round as key motivation for his recent improvements, noting that Maybank’s performance highlighted areas where he needed to refine his game.

Kasey Hocquard finished second with a total score of 138. The 2007 and 2008 Open winner shot a 66 in the final round, including a birdie on the 18th hole. Hocquard described the moment as emotional, noting it was the first time he had played the final hole without his mother, Paula, who passed away in June, watching.

Eric Jimenez, Zak Knoll, and Kyle Parsons rounded out the top five, finishing with scores of 142, 144, and 146 respectively. The Northern Michigan Open, held for nearly 80 years, continues to draw significant attention to the Cheboygan course, with this year’s event drawing a packed crowd for the conclusion.