Even the final putt danced with disaster.

Recently renewed amateur Justin McMasters scared himself on the final hole of the Cleveland Invitational before head professional Lamar Mills declared that McMasters need not take a penalty for a possible infraction.

One or two strokes wouldn’t have mattered.

A few seconds before that McMasters, the tournament leader asked, as he stood over a 6-footer, “Do I really need to putt this?”

Only to make it official.

McMasters claimed the Cleveland Invitational by shooting even-par 72 on Sunday to win with a two-day total of 138 at Cleveland Country Club.

“There’s a first time for everything,” said McMasters who regained his amateur status on Wednesday. “I would have taken even-par for the tournament and simply walked away.”

He sauntered to his car as the winner. McMasters, who played for two years at Cleveland State and two years at Lee University, beat newly hired Lee coach John Maupin by three strokes. Former Lee golfers Matt Robertson and Ryan Hulton tied for third at 142.

Mike Usery won the senior division with a 152. Lee sophomore Sam Bedwell and area veteran Tom Baird tied for fifth at 153 in the open division.

“Going into today my only goal was to make sure that if they beat me, that they beat me and I don’t beat myself,” McMasters said. “If my putter gets hot, I can play with anybody around.”

McMasters said Saturday that he had never owned the lead of a tournament heading into the final round. His nerves and shaky knees appeared early in the final round. He bogeyed the first two holes and was tied with Robertson.

“It was a brand new game after two holes,” McMasters said. “On number 3 I just wanted to make a par and I did.”

Robertson tied McMasters again with a birdie on No. 5 which is the same spot Hulton suffered a double-bogey which essentially eliminated him from contention.

Maupin, playing one group ahead of McMasters and the first-day leaders, made the turn at even par for the day. McMasters had the same score at the turn when a quick lightning storm delayed the tournament which began two hours later on Sunday due to inclement weather.

“I knew I was going to have to make a few birdies to catch him,” said Maupin who won the 2007 event. “I would have liked to make it a little closer, but I’m pleased with the weekend.”

McMasters continued playing consistent golf while Robertson, Maupin and Hulton tried to catch him. They each made mistakes on the back nine which cost them.

“I had a four-shot lead with four to go,” McMasters said. “If it was a one-shot lead, it would have been a different story.”

Robertson tried to give McMasters a run, but since he’s played so little this season, Robertson’s short game let him down in the end.

“When you go five weeks without playing, you’re not going to be sharp,” Robertson said. “Justin left the door open a bit a couple of times, and like an idiot, I didn’t walk through it.”

McMasters has few plans for his amateur career. He said he’ll play around on the weekends and compete in tournaments when he can. But it’s not going to be like his competitive college career.

“I don’t plan on playing much,” McMasters said. “Most of the tournaments are Monday through Friday, and I can’t take off that time from work.”

One weekend will do.

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