Schwamb Defeats Former Teammate Roloff for First State Win at MGA Players’ Championship
WAYZATA, Minn. – Defeating former University of Minnesota teammate Jacob Pedersen during the quarterfinal round of the 48th MGA Players’...
3 min read
STILLWATER, Minn. – Opening the 123rd Minnesota Golf Association Amateur Championship at StoneRidge Golf Club with a 3-under 69 Monday, Bryce Hanstad wanted to focus on his patience and lean into his state tournament experience throughout the week.
His plan paid dividends Wednesday by carding a final-round 68 and surviving a one-hole playoff with University of Minnesota golfer Torger Ohe to claim his second win at the championship, 19 years removed from the first victory of his career.
“I tried to slow down the walk and some breathing stuff, especially during the playoff, and I think it definitely played into it,” Hanstad said following the first playoff at the championship since 2008. “I hit a lot of greens all week, gave myself a lot of looks, tried to keep everything in front of me and take it slow.
“This feels really, really good. It’s always interesting when you’re working in the professional world, and still have an identity as a golfer. You know the heights you’ve played to growing up and it’s hard to have those setbacks when you’re not playing and practicing as much. Some of the [mid-amateur] stuff has been great and playing in USGA events. It’s great to be competitive with high school and college kids."
With his win Wednesday, the 39-year-old Hanstad earns an exemption into this year’s U.S. Amateur Aug. 10-16 at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., an event he hasn’t made an appearance at since 2009 when he missed the cut at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.
“Definitely have some things to tidy up—I don’t feel like I had my A-game this week, which I think is exciting but I’m not going to overthink any different prep than I normally do,” he said. “I’m excited and I feel like it’s a little bit of a freewheel week to go have some fun and see what we can do. Looking forward to it.
“Tournament golf is a passionary of mine—it kicks you a lot, but sometimes there are some rewards on the other end of it like today."
Entering Wednesday’s final round five shots off the lead after a 2-over 74 in hot and breezy conditions Tuesday, Hanstad got off to a quick start with four birdies against a pair of bogeys during his opening nine to turn 3-under for the championship.
Converting a 4-footer for birdie at the 11th moved Hanstad within three shots of the lead, but he’d give back a stroke with bogey at the 14th.
Rolling in his birdie from eight feet and another tap-in birdie at the 17th put Hanstad in the early clubhouse lead at 5-under 211.
“I felt like I needed to eight or 9-under to have a chance, especially with a little more benign conditions today,” said Hanstad. “You forget there’s final-round pressure.
“I really played the par-5s well all week, did a lot of damage there and felt okay about everything else. Nice to get a couple coming home.”
In nine appearances at the championships since 2007, Hanstad has now racked up eight top-10 finishes.
Hanstad claimed the 2007 championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club for the first state victory of his career, adding a second win at The Resorters at his home course at Alexandria Golf Club the same season.
After a win at the 2008 KX Amateur at Moorhead Country Club, it’d be 14 years before he claimed the MGA Mid-Players’ Championship at Royal Golf Club. He successfully defended his title the following season, once again at home in Alexandria.
Ohe’s bid for his first state championship victory fell short following a three-putt bogey on the first playoff hole, giving the Gopher sophomore his second consecutive top-10 finish at the event.
“I’m proud of the way I hung in there,” Ohe said Wednesday. “Had a couple rough patches today and didn’t let that get me down. Kept my head down and gave myself a chance at the end, which is all I can ask for.
“It’s always nice to get extra reps under pressure—that’s the biggest takeaway of the week. Thankful to have the opportunity to have that chance.”
Turning in 2-under for the round Wednesday, Ohe held a share of the lead before taking back-to-back bogeys to begin his inward nine, falling to 4-under for the championship and three shots off the lead.
Chipping within tap-in range at the par-5 17th put Ohe into a three-way tie for the lead with Hanstad and first-round leader Tyler Seeling at 5-under.
Ohe forced extra holes with a par at the 54th hole, but a three-putt bogey sealed his fate on the first playoff hole.
Jacques Wilson, the 2017 MGA Players’ champion, carded the low round of the final round Wednesday, a 7-under 65, to move him up the leaderboard into a share of third place with Seeling at 4-under 212.
Harvard University’s Isaac Ahn, winner of the 2025 Minnesota Boys’ Junior PGA Championship, fired a 2-under 70 Wednesday to finish tied for fifth with 36-hole leader Sam Udovich at 3-under 213.
The 124th MGA Amateur Championship will be played at Rochester Golf and Country Club.
Honsa Paces Field on Day Two at MGA Amateur Championship, Shoots 68 to Take 36-Hole Lead
BRAINERD, Minn. – With a pair of runner-up finishes at state championships over the past two seasons, a 3-under 68 Tuesday moved University of...
Four Remain at the Players' Championship
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – The 49th MGA Players' Championship spent Tuesday tearing up the seed list. By the time the quarterfinals ended at Olympic Hills...