Five-Time Winner Johnson Among Five-Way Share of Lead at MPGA Senior Public Links

MAPLEWOOD, Minn. - Winner of five Minnesota Public Golf Association Senior Public Links Championships over the past nine seasons, J.T. Johnson is looking for his sixth win at the event after carding a 1-under 71 Saturday at Keller Golf Course to earn a five-way share of the lead with Paul Schubring, Paul Commers, Scott Holt and Eric Rislove.

Beginning his opening round on the 10th tee Saturday, Johnson played his front nine in even par before moving to 1-under with a birdie at the par-3 fourth.

He gave back a stroke with a bogey at the seventh, but answered by converting his birdie opportunity on the ensuing hole, going on to finish in a share of the lead at 1-under 71.

Schubring began with a birdie at the fifth before falling back to even with a bogey at the sixth, but countered with a second birdie at the seventh to turn in 1-under.

Taking bogey at the 11th sent Schubring back to even par, but a birdie at the par-3 13th sent him into a share of the clubhouse lead at 1-under 71.

Commers also played his opening nine in even par with one birdie offset by one bogey before converting his birdie chance at his 12th holes.

He slipped back to even with a bogey on the following hole, but joined the top of a crowded leaderboard with a birdie on his final hole Saturday to shoot 71.

Holt got off to a hot start Saturday by rolling in three consecutive birdies beginning at the third before closing out his front nine with bogeys at the sixth and eighth holes, turning in 1-under.

He'd reach 3-under for the championship with an eagle at the par-5 10th and appeared to be cruising following a birdie at the 13th, but stumbled down the stretch with three birdies over his final five holes to finish at 1-under 71.

Back-to-back birdies at the second and third holes Saturday moved Rislove into contention before a bogey at the sixth slowed his momentum.

He answered with a birdie at the seventh, but would turn in 1-under after his bogey at the eighth.

Starting strong during his final nine, Rislove carded birdies at the 10th and 12th holes to reach 3-under, but bogeys at the 14th and last hole put him into a share of first at 71.

John Spreiter fired an even par 72 to sit one back of the lead in sixth place, while Mark Aldrich and Jon Freeman will begin the final round two shots back in a share of seventh at 1-over 73.

The final round of the 2023 MPGA Senior Public Links Championship is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. Sunday at Keller Golf Course.



THE 83RD MPGA SENIOR PUBLIC LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP
KELLER GOLF COURSE
MAPLEWOOD, MINN.
6,675 YARDS, PAR 72


SATURDAY'S FIRST ROUND RESULTS
T1. Paul Schubring, Chaska TC, 34-37—71
T1. Paul Commers, Keller GC, 34-37—71
T1. Scott Holt, Elk River GC, 34-37—71
T1. J.T. Johnson, New Richmond GC, 34-37—71
T1. Eric Rislove, Prestwick GC, 34-37—71
6. John Spreiter, Litchfield GC, 35-37—72
T7. Mark Aldrich, Chaska TC, 35-38—73
T7. Jon Freeman, Chaska TC, 36-37—73
T9. Jerry Rose, Alexandria GC, 36-38—74
T9. Mark Sperling, Willinger's GC, 37-37—74


For complete tournament results go to: www.golfgenius.com/pages/9665699946120108206