Holtz Leads Minnesota Jr. PGA Tournament of Champions

MNPGA

 
  LAKE ELMO, Minn. – A birdie on his final hole Monday helped give Jack Holtz the early lead with a round of 1-over 73 to begin the 24th Minnesota Junior PGA ‘Sota Series Players Tour Tournament of Champions at Royal Golf Club.

When the tournament resumes early Tuesday, Holtz will carry a one-stroke lead into the final round over Jack Schrader and Arthur Ylitalo.

Holtz, a native of Alexandria, Minn., bounced back from two bogeys early during his front nine with a pair of birdies at the seventh and eighth holes to turn in even par for the round.

Carding a bogey to begin his back nine Monday, Holtz fell to 1-over, but would draw even with a birdie at the 15th.

He would slip to 2-over with back-to-back bogeys at the 16th and 17th, but finished on a high note with a birdie at the last to card a 1-over 73.

Schrader, from Maple Grove, Minn., played his first 14 holes in 3-over Monday, before tallying his first birdie of the round at the 15th.

He took a step back with bogey at the 16th, but answered by converting his birdie look at the last to finish the opening round one shot off the lead at 2-over 74.

Ylitalo, of Buffalo, Minn., turned in 1-under Monday thanks to back-to-back birdies at the seventh and eighth holes.

A bogey at the 13th put Ylitalo back at even par for the round, but he battled back with birdies at the 14th and 15th.

A rough stretch to close out his round, including a triple-bogey at the last, would put Ylitalo in a share of second with Schroeder at 2-over 74.

Braydon Pulcanio, from Orono, Minn., and Blake Forrest, of Maple Grove, Minn., each carded rounds of 3-over 75 Monday and will begin the final round two shots back of the lead.

The 2022 Minnesota Junior PGA ‘Sota Series Players Tour Tournament of Champions continues Tuesday when the final round gets underway at 7 a.m.



THE 24TH MINNESOTA JR. PGA PLAYERS TOUR TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
ROYAL GOLF CLUB
LAKE ELMO, MINN.
6,684 YARDS, PAR 72


MONDAY’S FIRST ROUND RESULTS
1. Jack Holtz, Alexandria, Minn., 36-37—73
T2. Jack Schrader, Maple Grove, Minn., 38-36—74
T2. Arthur Ylitalo, Buffalo, Minn., 35-39—74
T4. Braydon Pulcanio, Orono, Minn., 41-34—75
T4. Blake Forrest, Maple Grove, Minn., 38-37—75
T6. Kagan Kollar, Maple Grove, Minn., 39-37—76
T6. Benjamin Mertz, Duluth, Minn., 38-38—76
T6. Brady Baynes, Eden Prairie, Minn., 38-38—76
T6. Drew Teeter, Albert Lea, Minn., 39-37—76
T6. Max Wilson, Roseau, Minn., 39-37—76
T6. Landon Miller, St. Louis Park, Minn., 38-38—76


For complete tournament results go to:  https://mnpgajr.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpgajr22/event/mnpgajr2215/contest/1/leaderboard.htm