KANSAS CITY, Mo. --Nathan Woolard finished exactly as he did last year at the MSHSAA Class 4 golf championships.
The Poplar Bluff senior matched his 1-over-par 73 from the first round at Swope Memorial Golf Course to end up fifth at 2-over 146, earning all-state honors for a third straight year.
"Very impressive," Mules coach Billy Pyland said.
Poplar Bluff's Justin Pierce, making his first state appearance, finished tied for 56th at 160. The senior was two strokes better Tuesday than his first round and played his final six holes even-par.
Woolard also finished strong until a bogey on the par-4 18th. He played the previous 14 holes at 3-under after a rough start with three straight bogeys.
"I hit the ball probably the best I have all season," Woolard said. "I was throwing darts in there (at the green), but just never could get them to drop."
Woolard had three birdies and 11 pars for a second straight round. He started the day 1-over and six shots behind the first-round leader but carded bogeys on his first three holes. He made the turn at 3-over following a birdie on the par-5 ninth and had another on the par-5 12th.
Woolard's drive on the par-4 14th, however, found the 15th fairway but he said he was able to knock a wedge to within 30 feet for a birdie putt.
Woolard said he struggled with the closer putts.
"Just didn't have much confidence in my putting from close range," he said.
Ross Steelman of Rock Bridge earned medalist honors at 6-under 136 to help his team win the state title. First-round leader Zach Walsh of Chaminade shot 2-over to finish at 1-under 141. Glendale's Dawson Meek was third at 144 followed by Hudson Dubinski of Rock Bridge at 145.
Woolard was the top individual player, beating SLUH's Raymond Winter by a shot, as the top four were also trying to help their teams win.
"It's a lot more pressure, it's a lot different," Pierce said of playing at state. "There's more competition at state, more pressure really to play better."
Woolard become Poplar Bluff's sixth three-time all-state player, joining Tom Hoover, Craig Caringer, Colby Robertson, Tyler Hillis and Trent Hillis. Woolard is also one of 11 Mules to finish in the top 15 at state more than once.
As a freshman, Woolard finished 28th, improving his score by two shots on the second day but missing all-state honors by five shots. Last year, Woolard shot 6-over-par 150 to tie for fifth and as a sophomore, Woolard tied for 15th.
Pierce started the second round at 9-over, tied for 53rd. After a double-bogey on his first hole, the par-4 10th, the senior bounced back with his lone birdie of the day when he hit a wedge within 5 feet. Pierce also had 10 pars, one more than his first round.
"I struck the ball a lot better today," Pierce said. "I just couldn't putt it as well as yesterday. Greens were tough, hard to read. They kind of changed speeds."