Appleton native Ryan Helminen finished the 2008 Wisconsin State Open with a one-over-par 72... Not his best round of the tournament. In fact, it was his worst. But it was still plenty good to claim the title and exemption to next year's PGA U.S. Bank Championship.

Helminen entered the final day of competition at the Eau Claire Golf and Country Club with a two-stroke lead over day one leader Eddie Terasa. But rounds of 70 and 72 held Helminen at even for the day while the rest of the field struggled.

At the end of the round, the margin of victory was 4 strokes, as Scottsdale Arizona's Patrick Stolpe and Milwaukee's Mike Johnston tied for second at -1.