A Steady Borgen Extends Lead at Minnesota Golf Champions

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  ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. – Cruising to a bogey-free 3-under 69 Saturday at Minneapolis Golf Club, professional Chris Borgen extended his lead to three heading into Sunday’s final round of the 48th Minnesota Golf Champions.

Carding a double-bogey on his eighth hole during the opening round Friday, Borgen has bounced back by playing his last 27 holes in 7-under par, distancing himself from fellow professional and former University of Minnesota golfer Thomas Campbell and North Dakota State University junior Brock Winter.

Borgen entered the round Saturday with a one-stroke lead and played his opening 11 holes in even par before carding back-to-back birdies at the 12th and 13th holes to move to 6-under for the championship.

Rolling in his birdie opportunity at the par-4 17th, Borgen moved to 7-under for the tournament, creating a slight cushion with his second-round 69 with one round to play.

After posting a 1-under 71 during the opening round Friday, Campbell started quickly with three birdies during his opening nine of the second round Saturday.

Campbell, one of the state's most consistent golfers, who has posted 20 top-10 finishes in 27 events this season, stumbled with a pair of bogeys early during his back nine. He battled back with a birdie at the 17th to pull within three shots of the lead.

“From tee to green I have played pretty solid,” the 36-year-old former New Zealander said Saturday. “I had a bad break yesterday and have been waiting patiently and feel like the course owes me—maybe tomorrow.

“I feel close to putting it all together. What will make the difference will be making more putts from four to eight feet. Staying in the present and no scoreboard watching. I’m just going to shoot the lowest score I can tomorrow.”

Campbell is looking for his second win of the season Sunday, claiming the Faribault Golf Club Pro-Am in July.

Finishing on top of the money list in 2021, Campbell captured an astonishing 10 wins and collected nearly $30,000 in winnings a year ago.

Winter got off to a slow start Friday with a round of even par 72 before playing his opening nine in 2-under par Saturday.

Birdies at the 11th and 15th holes would put the former Stillwater High School standout three shots back and into a tie for second at 4-under 140.

“It was a stress-free 68 today—struck the ball really well. The pins were in more friendly positions today and some of the putts held, so it was a good round,” Winter said Saturday. “Winds kind of affected some of the longer par-3’s, but you learned to keep the ball down and attack some pins.”

Professional Jeff Sorenson, winner of the championship in 2006, followed his opening round of 72 by shooting 3-under 69 Saturday. He will begin Sunday’s final round in fourth place, four shots back at 3-under 141.

The 48th Minnesota Golf Champions concludes Sunday with final-round tee times beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Minneapolis Golf Club.



THE 48TH MINNESOTA GOLF CHAMPIONS
MINNEAPOLIS GOLF CLUB
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINN.
7,045 YARDS, PAR 72


SATURDAY’S SECOND ROUND RESULTS
1. Chris Borgen (p), Lost Spur GC, 68-69—137
T2. Thomas Campbell (p), 2nd Swing, 71-69—140
T2. Brock Winter, Indian Hills GC, 72-68—140
4. Jeff Sorenson (p), Minikahda Club, 72-69—141
T5. Lucas Johnson (p), Suite Shots, 69-74—143
T5. Kathryn VanArragon, Bunker Hills GC, 71-72—143
T5. Michael Schmitz (p), 2nd Swing, 72-71—143
T5. Nate Adams, Rush Creek GC, 75-68—143
T5. Trent Peterson, Fountain Valley GC, 75-68—143
T5. Sam Udovich, Southview CC, 77-66—143


For complete tournament results go to: https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpga22/event/mnpga2230/contest/5/leaderboard.htm