A fast start carried Stephen Conrad to the championship of the 97th annual Indiana Open Golf Championship Thursday in French Lick.

The former Wawasee High School standout fired an even par 72 to claim the title. Conrad, who was one of only four players to shoot par in Thursday’s final round on the difficult Pete Dye designed course, shot one-under 283 for the tourney title.

Conrad, who was third in the Indiana Open in 2011, birdied No. 3, 4 and 5 to take a three-shot lead early in his final round Thursday.  He was the only player in the tourney field to finish under par for the event. Tyler Merkel of Evansville, a junior at Ball State, and Bloomington’s Chase Wright, who turned pro in May after graduating from Indiana University, tied for second at 285.

Conrad, a 2003 WHS graduate, was the 2005 Indiana Amateur champion. The 27-year old pro had not played in a tournament since January.  Conrad, who now lives near Phoenix, took time to play in the event while also visiting family in Syracuse.

“To be honest, I would not have expected to be in this position,” said Conrad in a story posted on the Indiana Golf website. “I pick up a club every once in a while. It’s surreal not playing in any tournaments and winning the Indiana Open.”

Conrad, who had rounds of 72, 69, 70 and 72 en route to his championship, was tied for the lead with Jeff Cook heading into the final round.