Johnson Holds Off Hanner and Christopherson to Win Second MGA Mid-Amateur

By Nick Hunter
nhunter@mngolf.org


  CHASKA, Minn. – During the 2008 Minnesota Public Golf Association Public Links Championship, Troy Johnson drilled a 30-foot bending birdie putt at Chaska Town Course en route to his first amateur victory.

Six years later, Johnson found himself in an oddly familiar situation on the 16th green at Chaska Town Course as he nonchalantly rolled in another 30-foot birdie to take a one-stroke lead at the 2014 Minnesota Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship.

“I made birdie there [in 2008] to stay in the tournament and when I got over that putt today, it was basically the same putt,” Johnson said. “I let it go and it ended up going in.”

Johnson relinquished the lead on the final hole with a bogey Thursday, but on the first playoff hole with Jonathan Hanner and Erik Christopherson, Johnson dropped a 10-foot birdie to win his second MGA Mid-Amateur Championship in four years.

“The entire tournament I started off poorly, I was always two or three over. Today I really wanted to put some pressure on,” Johnson said. “My putting wasn’t really there today, but in the end it turned out I needed that putter.”

Johnson, Medina Golf and Country Club, three-putted from 15 feet on the second hole to make bogey and fall to 1-over for the tournament before answering with back-to-back bogeys on the third and fourth holes.

Another birdie at the par-4 eighth hole put Johnson at 2-under at the turn before a bogey at the 13th dropped him back to 1-over.

He responded with another birdie on the 14th after putting his approach to eight feet and tucking in his putt to get back to 2-under.

Johnson, winner of the event in 2010, fell into a three-way tie at 1-under with Christopherson and Hanner following his bogey at the par-5 15th, but rolled in a massive birdie on the 16th to reclaim the lead with one hole remaining.

Johnson’s approach on the final hole overshot the green and he was unable to close out the tournament with a par, forcing the playoff with Hanner and Christopherson.

After Hanner and Christopherson each made par on the first playoff hole, Johnson stepped up and dropped his birdie to claim his second victory of the season.

“I felt like I was swinging good today, I missed some putts, but I think just being patient was what I was doing well today,” Johnson said.

“Overall I feel great,” he said. “It’s a little redemption after the [State Amateur].”

Johnson finished one shot behind Jesse Bull at the Minnesota State Amateur at Golden Valley Golf and Country Club in July, but was disqualified following the round for signing an incorrect scorecard.

“That really had nothing to do with my golf—I played well. That was just a tactical error,” Johnson said. “It was nice to come in here and have a chance this week.”

Along with the win Thursday, Johnson claimed his third MGA Mid-Players’ Championship in June and will travel to French Lick, Ind., to compete in the USGA State Team Championship beginning Tuesday.

Hanner, Baker National Golf Club, sat tied for 13th after the first two rounds and eight shots off the lead beginning the final round Thursday, but came surging back with a 68 to finish the tournament at 1-under par 214 and forcing a three-way playoff.

His only blemish of the day came at the par-4 second hole when he couldn’t get his par putt to fall, but came roaring back with three birdies on the final seven holes of the front nine to make the turn at 1-over for the championship.

Hanner would roll in five consecutive pars before back-to-back birdies at the 15th and 16th holes dropped him to 1-under. On the final hole Hanner sent his birdie putt eight feet past the hole but luckily was able to save par to finish regulation at 1-under par 214.

On the first playoff hole, Hanner’s second at the par-5 18th went left and found the hazard, but he would put his fourth to about 25 feet. Hanner stepped up and drilled his putt to save par for an incredible up and down, hoping to send it to another playoff hole.

“I got off to a slow start and three-putted the second for bogey, but I played really steady all day,” Hanner said following his round Thursday. “It was an all-around good day; I missed a couple of short putts that cost me, but I kept it in play and hit greens.”

Coming into the final round Thursday, Hanner knew his chances of pulling out a victory were slim but figured a low enough finish would earn him an exemption for the MGA State Amateur Championship as well as the Minnesota State Open.

“I thought I was too far back to win, but I knew I was within range to get top-3, which gets you into the [State Amateur] next year, so that was my mindset for today,” he said.

“I’m pleased, I’ve never been in this spot before—it’s kind a new deal for me. I take away all positives, it’s just a learning experience for me,” Hanner said. “Hopefully if I get in this position again, I’ll be a little more relaxed and prepared next time and a little more confident.”

Christopherson, Baker National Golf Club, finished the second round in a five-way tie for eighth place and began the final round Thursday seven shots behind the leader.

After a 3-over par 74 during the opening round, Christopherson came back with a 71 Wednesday and another very strong round Thursday, carding a 3-under par 69.

Christopherson rolled in two birdies on the front nine to make the turn at even par for the tournament and cruised over the final nine holes with eight pars and one birdie.

At the par-4 16th, Christopherson put his tee shot to 12 feet, where he missed his eagle putt but tapped in for birdie to share the lead at 1-under with Hanner. Christopherson failed to record a bogey during his round of 69 Thursday.

On the first playoff hole, Christopherson’s tee shot found the fairway bunker along the right side of 18, from which he would layup nicely with 150-yards left to the flag. Christopherson put his approach to 20 feet and left his birdie putt inches from the cup, tapping in par.

“I thought I’d have to shoot 67,” Christopherson said of his plan coming into the final round. “I made a good birdie on five and another good one on nine. It wasn’t really exciting—it was just a good round.”

Christopherson finished as runner-up to Jesse Bull during the MGA Amateur Championship in July, and after finishing second again, remains confident moving forward into next season.

“I’ve been consistent,” Christopherson said following his fourth Top-5 finish of the season Thursday. “Everything I’ve played in this year I’ve finished in the top-4, so I’m hitting the ball great and I’m looking forward to next year—there are some really nice venues.”

Tony Brown (Rush Creek Golf Club), Joel B. Johnson (Links at Northfork) and Jesse Larson (Le Sueur Country Club) finished tied for fourth at even par 215.




27TH MGA MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
CHASKA TOWN COURSE
CHASKA, MINN.
6,531 YARDS, PAR 72


FINAL RESULTS
T1. Troy Johnson, Medina G&CC, 70-73-71—214 (Won Playoff)
T1. Jonathan Hanner, Baker Nat’l GC, 75-71-68—214
T1. Erik Christopherson, Baker Nat’l GC, 74-71-69—214
T4. Tony Brown, Rush Creek GC, 73-74-68—215
T4. Joel B. Johnson, Links at Northfork, 72-73-70—215
T4. Jesse Larson, Le Sueur CC, 71-69-75—215
7. Scott Gustafson, Hazeltine Nat’l GC, 73-72-71—216
T8. Adam Wynia, University GC, 70-72-76—218
T8. Will Hickey, StoneRidge GC, 70-68-80—218
10. Jesse Bull, Golden Valley G&CC, 72-76-71—219


For complete tournament coverage go to: www.mngolf.org/Tournament/27th_MGA_Mid-Amateur_Championship