By PAITON HAGA

Will Cannon opened with a bang and held on through four rounds to capture the Coke Dr. Pepper Open All Pro Tour golf event concluding Saturday at Links on the Bayou in Alexandria.

The Birmingham, Ala., resident carded a first-round 62 to grab the lead and fought off challenges from there. On his heels throughout was Jake Doggett (Hutto, TX), but Cannon birdied the final two holes to card an 18-under par and earn the $20,000 winner’s purse.

He shot 262 (62-66-68-66) to hold off a charge from Jonathan Yoshihiro (Yorba Linda, CA), who closed with a 65, and Doggett, both at 15 under. Cannon had 21 birdies and an eagle during the four rounds, carding six birdies on Saturday.

Hunter Eichorn (Carney, MI) had Saturday’s low round, a 64, and climbed 17 places into a fifth-place tie.

Shreveporter Philip Barbaree Jr., a former LSU standout, was seventh with a 12-under 268 (65-66-69-68).

The weather for the final round provided the perfect backdrop for this intense competition, with clear skies and the warm sun shining down on the course.

As the championship drew to a close, organizers extended their heartfelt gratitude to Manna House, Walker GMC, Links on the Bayou, Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority, the City of Alexandria, and CLECO for their generous support.

The All Pro Tour now turns to the upcoming Coushatta Open in Kinder, set to commence Tuesday.

For full results of the Coke Dr. Pepper Open, visit this link: https://agpts.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/agpt24/event/agpt245/contest/1/leaderboard.htm