Cody Paladino shot a 1-under-par round of 70 Wednesday, good enough to give him a two-shot victory in the 81st Connecticut Open championship at The Patterson Club in Fairfield.

Paladino finished the 54-hole tournament at 7-under-par 206 to earn his first professional win and $12,500. Amateur John Flaherty, who will be a senior at the University of Connecticut, finished second (5-under 208).

Brian Gaffney from Darien finished third (4-under 209) while defending champion Frank Bensel tied for seventh place (2-under 69).

Paladino birdied the 17th hole after bogeying 15 and 16 to have a two-shot lead playing the final hole.