WORTHINGTON, Ohio — Something clicked for Dylan Van Fossen on the 10th hole.
After opening his round at the SOPGA Classic at Worthington Hills Country Club with back-to-back bogeys, Van Fossen stepped onto the 10th tee searching for something to turn the day around.
He found it.
A birdie on the 10th sparked an electric back nine, as Van Fossen carded a 31 on the final nine holes to finish at 3-under and force a tie atop the leaderboard with Ashley Thomas.
The finish earned Van Fossen his first Southern Ohio PGA Section victory.
“I’m not sure what happened. Things just clicked on that last nine,” Van Fossen said following the round. “I’m really enjoying these events so far this year.”
The win continues what has already been an impressive start to the season for Van Fossen. The first-year SOPGA Associate has consistently found himself near the top of the leaderboard, finishing in the money in all five of his events in 2026 while positioning himself among the leaders in the Associate Player of the Year race.
While Van Fossen claimed the title, Thomas nearly made history of her own.
Just days after Allie White became the first woman to win the Main Division of a SOPGA Section event, Thomas nearly became the second in the span of a month.
Her round was anything but ordinary.
After opening with bogey-par-double bogey, Thomas caught fire, holing out twice for eagle during her opening nine holes. She carried that momentum into the back nine, adding three more birdies to finish in red figures and earn a share of the lead.
Alex Martin continued his strong start to the 2026 season with another top finish. Always the consistent player, Martin fired a 2-under 69 to finish solo third and remain in the money in every Section event so far this year. Martin has posted a 74 or better in each event and has yet to finish outside the top 15.
Jeff Olson and Taylor Holt finished tied for fourth at even par, while seven SOPGA Professionals finished tied for sixth at 1-over.
In the Senior Division, Larry King claimed the title with a 1-under 70, joining Van Fossen, Thomas and Martin as the only players to finish the day under par.