Peterson a Winner Again, Claims Fourth MPGA Mid Public Links Title

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  ST. PAUL, Minn. – Coming off the 37th state victory of his career at the Minnesota Golf Association Mid-Players’ Championship at Deacon’s Lodge on Wednesday, Trent Peterson wasted little time winning his 38th tournament, shooting 5-under 139 at Highland National Golf Course Sunday to win the 20th Minnesota Public Golf Association Mid Public Links Championship.

Peterson carded a final-round 71 to claim a two-stroke victory over Yarri Bryn and Erik Bredesen for his fourth win at the event over the past five seasons.

“It’s been a good week,” Peterson said with a smile after his win Sunday.

A two-time MGA Men’s Player of the Year, Peterson rolled in one birdie during his opening nine to keep the field at an arm’s length before trading two birdies with a pair of bogeys to begin his back nine.

Regaining a two-stroke lead after a bogey by Bryn at the 17th, Peterson nearly holed out for eagle at the 18th from the right rough, two-putting for par to claim his second victory in just four days.

“Yesterday was miserable—I knew it was going to be a struggle, but I putted really well and made some nice birdie putts,” Peterson said of the wet conditions during Saturday's opening round. “I got through it and was quite happy with the round I had.

“Today I was a little more defensive at times and the putter wasn’t as good. I told myself to get the ball in play, hit the green and two-putt. You make a birdie or two and [the field] has to come get you.”

Following his match play victory at Deacon’s Lodge on Wednesday, Peterson said he had to alter his strategy for a stroke-play event in softer and slower conditions at Highland National.

“In match play you can be much more aggressive,” he said. “If you’re out of the hole, you just move on. Here, you have to avoid mistakes and big numbers, so you’ve got to play more defensively.

“Sometimes it’s harder to go low because you might not be going right at pins like you are in match play. In stroke play, I’d rather have a lot of fours than a seven.”

Peterson earned his first MPGA Mid Public Links title in 2020 at Valleywood Golf Course before emerging victorious in 2022 at Cannon Golf Club, defeating Justin Burleson in a one-hole playoff.

The 37-year-old Peterson fired a final-round 68 to pull away from the field with a three-stroke victory last season at Edinburgh USA for his second consecutive win.

A former South Dakota State University golfer, Peterson admittedly had some unfinished business Sunday at Highland National Golf Course after falling to Mike Christensen in a playoff in 2017, the last time the course hosted the championship.

“I hadn’t played this course since that event, so there’s a little redemption. Losing in a playoff is no fun. To come back and win feels nice.”

Bryn, whose lone state championship win came at the Twin Cities Championship at Hastings Golf Club in 2020, entered Sunday’s final round two shots off the lead following his opening-round 70 Saturday.

Even through his front nine, Bryn pulled within one shot of Peterson’s lead with a birdie from 10 feet at the 12th, but a late three-putt bogey at the 17th proved costly.

He would card a final-round 71 to finish tied for second with 2018 Twin Cities champion Erik Bredesen at 3-under 141.

“I think these were my fourth and fifth rounds of the year,” Bryn said following his round Sunday. “We have a 6-week-old at home, so I haven’t been playing much. Just getting out here is all I can really hope for right now. I was just trying to hang with Trent—he obviously played pretty well.

“I kept the ball on the golf course. I didn’t putt so well coming in, but I feel pretty good about everything; there’s nothing really bugging me right now.”

Bredesen tied Peterson’s mark for low round of the championship by shooting 4-under 68 during the final round Sunday, helped by a string of three consecutive birdies late in the round to move into a share of second for his best finish since he placed fourth in 2022.



THE 20TH MPGA MID PUBLIC LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP
HIGHLAND NATIONAL GOLF COURSE
ST. PAUL, MINN.
6,667 YARDS, PAR 72


SUNDAY’S FINAL RESULTS
1. Trent Peterson, Bunker Hills GC, 68-71—139
T2. Erik Bredesen, Oak Marsh GC, 73-68—141
T2. Yarri Bryn, Bunker Hills GC, 70-71—141
4. Eric Rislove, Prestwick GC, 71-71—142
T5. Justin Burleson, Fountain Valley GC, 74-69—143
T5. Matt Opsal, Dahlgreen GC, 71-72—143
T7. Bobby Frazzini, Pioneer Creek GC, 73-71—144
T7. Ralph Baxley, Bunker Hills GC, 74-70—144
9. A.J. Hoffman, Rush Creek GC, 69-76—145
T10. Matt Norgaard, Willow Creek GC, 77-69—146
T10. Jay Kautt, Southern Hills GC, 75-71—146
T10. J.R. Simpach, Highland Nat’l GC, 72-74—146


For complete tournament results go to: www.golfgenius.com/pages/10617749302270777596