MAMARONECK, N.Y. — Ben Polland has a master’s in business administration from Campbell University. He is also a pretty good study on the golf course.
Polland, a 25-year-old assistant professional at Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, N.Y., botched the final hole at the P.G.A. Professional National Championship this summer, making a double bogey to lose to his friend and fellow Long Island pro, Matt Dobyns.
But on an idyllic Thursday afternoon at Winged Foot Golf Club’s East course, Polland changed the plot, making a birdie on the final hole of regulation in the 100th Metropolitan Open. That pivotal shot put pressure on Tyler Hall, who bogeyed to fall into a tie with Polland at even-par 210 after 54 holes.