Greve Holds 36-Hole MGA Mid-Amateur Lead; Peterson, Hanstad and Tylke in the Hunt

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  CHASKA, Minn. – For the second consecutive round, former University of Minnesota golfer Ben Greve paced the field at the 37th Minnesota Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship, following his opening-round 65 Monday at Chaska Town Course with a 6-under 66 Tuesday at Fox Hollow Golf Club.

Greve will take a one-stroke advantage over Bryce Hanstad and Trent Peterson to Wednesday’s final round, looking for his first state victory since claiming the 2022 MGA Amateur on his home course at Olympic Hills Golf Club.

“Another solid round, although a disappointing finish,” Greve said Tuesday after a late bogey gave him a second-round 66. “The biggest challenge was adjusting to slow greens speed. They, understandably, weren't able to cut them today, but were very slow.

“Overall, I hit the ball solidly and putted okay—I gave myself a lot of chances. Only bogey was a disappointing one on 16 from about 18 feet off the fringe.”

Getting off to a quick start once again Tuesday, Greve scattered three birdies over his first seven holes to turn in 10-under for the championship.

The 2016 and 2017 Minnesota State Open champion strung together four consecutive birdies beginning at the 11th, including a pair of two-putt birdies at the 11th and 14th.

Despite his late bogey Tuesday, Greve remains on top of the leaderboard with 18 holes to play, one step closer to the fourth state victory of his career.

Peterson, winner of five of the last seven MGA Mid-Amateur Championships, opened the championship with a 7-under 65 Monday at Fox Hollow to share the 18-hole lead with Greve in sweltering conditions.

The 37-year-old Peterson tallied a pair of two-putt birdies during his opening nine Tuesday before finding his stride on his inward nine by rolling in four birdie chances over his last six holes.

Following his first bogey of the championship at the 11th, Peterson converted back-to-back chances from outside of 15 feet at the 13th and 14th holes to reach 12-under for the tournament.

A two-putt birdie at the 16th put Peterson at 4-under for his round, and he would finish the day by sinking an 8-footer for birdie at the 18th to move into a share of the lead with Hanstad, one shot back of Greve.

“I hit the ball great all day and gave myself a ton of looks,” Peterson said. “Greens were a little slow and I could not match my line with the speed and couldn’t make the adjustment. I was getting really frustrated out there.

“I’m very happy with where I am, but just frustrated with the front side today. I’m hitting a lot of greens, making birdies or two-putting. Just try to make some more birdies and go low tomorrow.”

Carding the low round of the championship Tuesday, Hanstad pulled within one shot of the lead after his opening round of 68 at Chaska Town Course Monday by shooting 8-under 64 during his second round at Fox Hollow.

The 2022 and 2023 MGA Mid-Players’ champion rattled off four quick birdies Tuesday to turn in 8-under for the championship before a birdie at the 10th and an eagle at the 11th put the former Colorado State University golfer at 7-under for his round.

A final birdie at the par-5 14th put the 37-year-old Hanstad one back of the lead at 12-under 132 with 18 holes to play.

After play was suspended due to excessive heat Monday, Max Tylke finished his final two holes at Fox Hollow early Tuesday to post an opening-round 65 before carding a 4-under 68 during his second round at Chaska Town Course.

Tylke, 31, has finished no worse than eighth in seven state appearances this year, while collecting five runner-up finishes. His most recent win came at last season’s Worthington Labor Day Classic.

Tee times for the final round of the 37th MGA Mid-Amateur Championship will begin at 8:50 a.m. Wednesday at Chaska Town Course.