Helminen Takes Early Lead at Minnesota Golf Champions Tourney

ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. -- Temperatures may have been frigid to start Friday's opening round of the 2013 Minnesota Golf Champions Tournament at Minneapolis Golf Club but several players found a way to turn up the heat.

Temperatures dipped into the 30s as players teed off Friday but the cold conditions didn't stop some players from posting strong opening round scores.

Wisconsin native Ryan Helminen didn't let the weather affect him as he got off to a good start and finished with a blemish-free, 5-under-par 67. Fellow Wisconsinite Scott Cole didn't start quite as well but carded an eagle and three birdies on the final nine holes to finish at 68.

Helminen, Neenah, Wisc., birdied No. 1 as well as the fifth and seventh holes on the front nine before another two birdies on the thirteenth and eighteenth holes to take the top spot after the first round.

Cole, New Richmond, Wisc., started his day on the tenth hole and recorded a birdie and two bogeys on the front nine before heating up and shooting 5-under-par on the back nine.

Cole recorded an eagle on the 474-yard, par-5 first hole; back-to-back birdies on the third and fourth holes and another birdie on the eighth hole.

Three others are tied for third with a 3-under-par 69, while defending champion Clayton Rask of Elk River, Minn., finished tied for 21st with a 2-over-par 74.

Round two begins Saturday at 12 p.m.