A Pair of 62s Lead MPGA Four-Ball Championship

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  MONTICELLO, Minn. – A bogey-free 9-under 62 Saturday helped the team of Jamie Quesnel and Max Tylke into a share of the opening-round lead with Gavin Cronkhite and Brandon Sperling to begin the 46th Minnesota Public Golf Association Four-Ball Championship at Monticello Country Club.

Quesnel and Tylke carded four birdies during their opening nine Saturday to turn in 4-under before Tylke recorded an eagle to begin the back, reaching 6-under for the championship.

The two carded three consecutive birdies beginning at their 13th hole, and would finish the day tied atop the leaderboard with a round of 9-under 62.

Quesnel and Tylke previously qualified for the 2021 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash.

Tylke partnered with Corey Schommer to win the 2019 championship at Southbrook Golf Club.

Cronkhite and Sperling, former teammates at Lakeville South High School, began their round with three consecutive birdies to quickly climb the leaderboard before closing out their opening nine with an eagle to turn in 7-under 29.

Back-to-back birdies to open their back nine put the twosome at 9-under for the day, adding two more at their 13th and 16th holes, along with a pair of bogeys to shoot an opening-round 62 to share the early lead.

Cronkhite, was named an All-Summit League Second Team Selection to close out his junior season at North Dakota State University, while Sperling, a redshirt sophomore at Concordia University, St. Paul, earned All-NSIC Second Team honors during his freshman campaign.

When the tournament resumes Sunday, the twosome of Mike Christensen and Brian Moores will start three shots off the lead in a share of second place with the team of Ralph Baxley and Robert Erickson.

Tee times for the final round of the 46th MPGA Four-Ball Championship begin at 7:30 a.m. Sunday at Monticello Country Club.