There was going to be a new champion crowned Monday at the 82nd annual Shortstop Tournament at Green Lea Golf Course, and a leaf in just the right spot helped decide the outcome.

On No. 17 Brent Miller, a former Albert Lea resident now living in South Dakota, raised his putter in the air and gave one last glance toward the hole as his 15-foot birdie putt found the bottom of the cup to give him a 2 and 1 victory over Andy Petersen.

“We were looking at it (the putt) and I said, ‘Chris (Baas, who was caddying for Miller), I’m going to make this. I don’t care what it takes,’” Miller said. “I knew about 3 feet from the hole it was going in.”

A well-placed leaf on the green gave Miller the perfect line and he hit the putt true to give him his first Shortstop title in nine tries.

It was the short game, especially the putter that proved the difference Monday in Miller’s victory.

“You know what the difference was in our match was — putting,” Miller said. “I made a couple of putts that were key.”

Miller went 1-up after the first hole, but fell to 1-down after the sixth. He was able to square the match on the ninth and then his putting stroke heated up on the back nine.

Miller sunk a birdie putt on No. 13 from above the hole 12 feet away to go 1-up in the match and made another critical putt on No. 14 to maintain his lead.

On No. 14 both players chipped onto the green from the left edge. Petersen knocked his close and had a tap-in. Miller chunked his chip and had about 8 feet to halve the hole. Miller made his putt and Petersen made his, but Miller still held the lead.

Petersen had opportunities on the back nine as well. He missed a chance to go 1-up on No. 10 and a chance on No. 15 to halve the match.

“I was in there 10-12 feet on a lot of those holes, I just couldn’t get one to go in,” Petersen said. “I felt like I was hitting some decent putts, but those don’t go in all the time.”

Miller and Petersen jostled for the match through the front nine and Petersen was able to gain an edge on No. 6, coming back from 1-down, but the lead was lost on No. 9 after Petersen hit a tee shot left into the trees and missed his chance at par.

It was a victory Miller shared with defending champion and close friend Baas. Miller rallied from a 4-down deficit against Baas, who was seeking a record sixth championship, in the semifinals to reach the championship. There again it was Miller’s putting that allowed him to win the match as he went on a birdie binge for a 2 and 1 win.

“I’m very happy to see him win,” Baas said. “He’s a good friend of mine and it’s nice to see him win.”

For Petersen, a two-time finals participant, it was another near-miss at the Shortshop. Petersen also finished as the runner-up in the Green Lea club championship to Phil Schmidt earlier this summer.

Petersen advanced to the finals with a 2 and 1 win over his brother, Steve.

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT SEMIFINAL RESULTS

Brent Miller def. Chris Baas 2 and 1

Andy Petersen def. Steve Petersen 2 and 1

PRESIDENTIAL FLIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP RESULT

Jim Johnson def. Steve Lee

FIRST FLIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP RESULT

Chad Hauge def. Dave Hansen

SECOND FLIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP RESULT

Brian Demmer def. Mike Schulze

THIRD FLIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP RESULT

Bob Petersen def. Dan Wittmer

FOURTH FLIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP RESULT

Chad Radue def. Tyler Klingson

FIFTH FLIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP RESULT

Cliff Jones def. Mark Holmes

SIXTH FLIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP RESULT

Todd Struzyk def. Isaac Johnson