Peterson Holds Off Burleson to Win Second MPGA Mid Public Links Championship

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  CANNON FALLS, Minn. – Overcoming a dreadful front nine Sunday, Trent Peterson survived a final-round surge and a one-hole playoff against Justin Burleson to win the 18th Minnesota Public Golf Association Mid Public Links Championship at Cannon Golf Club.

A 7-under 65 to begin the tournament Saturday gave Peterson a sizeable five-stroke lead heading into Sunday’s final round, but the four-time Minnesota Golf Association Player of the Year carded a 5-over 40 during his opening nine, including a triple-bogey on his opening hole.

Scattering two birdies against one bogey over his final nine holes, Peterson finished in a tie with Burleson at 3-under 141 before winning the first playoff hole to claim his second victory at the event in three seasons.

“Yesterday I played really well all around and gave myself a lot of birdie putts and made a bunch of them. If I made a mistake, I covered it. A very stress-free round,” said Peterson of his 65 Saturday. “The pins were harder today and it was a little windier. I hit the ball about the same, but definitely didn’t putt as well."

“My plan was to birdie 18 and I birdied 18. I played my final three holes in even par and [Burleson] played them in 3-under. Hats off to him.”

With his win Sunday, Peterson extends his streak to 10 seasons with at least one state victory. Last season, Peterson edged Ryan Conn by one stroke at Pebble Creek Golf Club to claim his fourth MPGA State Public Links title for his 30th career victory.

The following week, Peterson cruised to a seven-stroke victory at Eagle Creek Golf Club to earn his fourth MGA Mid-Amateur title in five seasons.

“I’m very happy with my game right now. I played really well [at MGA Mid-Players’ Championship] last week and ran into Bryce Hanstad, who won the thing,” said Peterson, who fell during the semifinal round at Royal Golf Club Wednesday. “Hopefully I can keep it going next week at the [MGA Players’ Championship] and do well.”

A wayward tee shot led to a triple-bogey on his first hole of the final round Sunday as Peterson’s five-stroke lead quickly shrunk to two. He would limit the damage by two-putting for birdie at the par-4 fourth.

Peterson gave back a stroke with a bogey at the sixth before struggling to reach the green at the par-3 ninth, taking double-bogey and a two-stroke lead to the final nine holes.

Still up by two at the 17th, Peterson was unable to get up-and-down to save par after going over the green with his tee shot. He would bounce back by two-putting for birdie on the final hole but watched as Burleson sank his 12-foot eagle opportunity to force extra holes.

With Burleson in trouble off the tee in the playoff, Peterson sank his par putt to claim his second MPGA Mid Public Links Championship since 2020.

Peterson joins Burleson, Sammy Schmitz, Joel B. Johnson and J.T. Johnson as the only players with multiple wins at the tournament since it began in 2005.

Coming up short Sunday denied Burleson his first win since the 2020 season, as well as the chance to become the tournament’s only three-time winner.

“The course was playing tough today,” Burleson said following his round Sunday. “Trent and I were both struggling with our putts a little bit today. Three down going into 16 and I played those last three holes great—hit every shot exactly how I wanted."

“Standing over the eagle putt on 18 I was thinking, ‘This is why we’re out here,’ and it went in. I was probably a little amped up on the tee box in the playoff and hit the worst drive of the year.”

Burleson posted a 2-under 70 during the opening round Saturday before his late round rally led to a round of 71 to finish as the only player in the 54-player field with back-to-back rounds under par.

“I’ve been struggling a little bit, so it was nice to hit some nice shots this week and play some solid golf,” Burleson said.

Burleson’s win in 2016 at Blackberry Ridge Golf Club was his first state victory. He won again four years later at Goodrich Golf Course.

Ralph Baxley carded a final-round 73 Sunday to place third at 1-over 145, while Jason Hasselman, Matt Norgaard and Erik Bredesen all finished in a tie for fourth at 2-over 146.



THE 18TH MPGA MID PUBLIC LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP
CANNON GOLF CLUB
CANNON FALLS, MINN.
6,581 YARDS, PAR 72


SUNDAY’S FINAL RESULTS
1. Trent Peterson, Fountain Valley GC, 65-76—141 (won first playoff hole)
2. Justin Burleson, Fountain Valley GC, 70-71—141
3. Ralph Baxley, Bunker Hills GC, 72-73—145
T4. Jason Hasselman, Prestwick GC, 76-70—146
T4. Matt Norgaard, Willow Creek GC, 75-71—146
T4. Erik Bredesen, Rush Creek GC, 74-72—146
7. Jamie Quesnel, Legends Club, 74-73—147
8. Ryan Conn, Chaska TC, 71-77—148
T9. Andrew Althoff, Cannon Golf Club, 77-74—151
T9. Tony Brown, Rush Creek GC, 76-75—151
T9. Kane Bauer, Bunker Hills GC, 74-77—151
T9. Devin Weberg, Pebble Creek GC, 71-80—151


For complete tournament results go to: www.golfgenius.com/pages/8546469373513062463