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 Minnesota freshman Joe Honsa one step closer to his first state victory following the second round of the 122nd Minnesota Golf Association Amateur Championship at The Classic at Madden’s on Gull Lake.

Honsa bounced back from a bogey on his opening hole Tuesday to post the low round of the championship through 36 holes, and will now take a two-stroke advantage over 2008 champion Trent Peterson and 2017 MGA Players’ Championship winner Jacques Wilson to Wednesday’s final round.

“Bogey on the first hole and then never looked back,” the former Cretin-Derham Hall standout said following his round Tuesday. “I hit my irons really well and managed the course well—didn’t try to take on too much.

“I know I’m going to hit some bad shots, but I’m going to hit a bunch of good ones, too. Playing my game and trusting what I’ve got.”

After his bogey on the opening hole at the 10th Tuesday, Honsa drew even with a birdie at the 12th, eventually turning in even par.

A two-putt birdie at the first moved Honsa into red figures for his second round before back-to-back tap-in birdies at the sixth and seventh holes would move him into the clubhouse lead at 2-under 140.

Honsa, who helped lead the Raiders to the Class AAA team title at Bunker Hills Golf Club in June, finished second individually in 2023 before he placed second at last season’s Minnesota Junior PGA Championship at North Oaks Golf Club.

Playing in his first MGA Amateur Championship last season at Minnesota Valley Country Club, Honsa carded a final-round 75 to finish tied for 50th at 5-over 224.

Peterson, who claimed the 41st state victory of his career earlier this season at the Minnesota Public Golf Association Mid Public Links Championship at Fox Hollow, closed out his opening round Monday with a birdie-eagle finish to shoot even par 71.

On Tuesday, Peterson rallied from a double-bogey late during his opening nine by converting a pair of birdie chances over his final eight holes to post a round of 71 for a second consecutive round, sitting two shots back of the lead in a share of second.

“Yesterday’s Birdie Eagle finish was an excellent way to finish the day. It’s always good to see the ball go in the hole from the fairway—doesn’t happen often,” the 38-year-old Peterson said Tuesday. “Put me in a good mindset going into today.

“Overall, I’m happy how I played the first two days. took advantage of my opportunities but still had a few penalty shots I had to deal with.”

Peterson hopes to tap into his success at the course during Wednesday’s final round, claiming the 2016 MGA Players’ Championship at Madden’s.

“This is not a course where you can blast driver everywhere,” he said. “You’ve got to keep it inside the tree line or you might have a lost ball. Greens have some slope to them and being below the hole, if able, is very advantageous.

“If I can keep finding the fairway off the tee that will be extremely helpful. I’ve been putting well so hopefully I can continue doing that tomorrow. With rain likely tomorrow anything can happen.”

 Looking for his first win in the state in eight seasons, the first-round co-leader Wilson stumbled down the stretch Tuesday by carding three consecutive bogeys on his way to a 2-over 73.

“It was the exact opposite of what I did yesterday,” the 30-year-old Wilson said following his second round. “The ball-striking just wasn’t there and missed a few more fairways and a few greens in some spots you just can’t. The game plan was solid; the execution just wasn’t what it was yesterday.

Turning at 1-over for his second round Tuesday, Wilson found his footing with back-to-back birdies at his 11th and 12th holes to reach 3-under for the championship.

But Wilson’s troubles began at his 15th hole where he’d drop three straight shots to post a final-round 73 to finish in a share of second with Peterson at even par 142.

“I think historically on the third day they want to see guys go chase it," Wilson said looking ahead to Wednesday's final round. "We’ll probably see a couple more favorable pins, but I don’t think there’s many holes out here where you can rip driver, have a wedge in and be aggressive on the greens.

“Patience will be the name of the game regardless, but maybe try to be a little more aggressive on start lines on some approach shots and with some putts. Today, you’re playing defense a lot of the time on these greens again. Missing in the right spots is going to be a big thing tomorrow.”

University of Notre Dame golfer Nate Stevens followed his opening-round 72 Monday with a round of even par 71 during Tuesday’s second round to earn a share of fourth place with University of South Dakota golfer Joe Rohlwing and North Dakota State University’s Jacob Skarperud at 1-over 143, three shots off the lead.

The field of 156 players will be cut to the top 60 players, plus ties, following Tuesday’s second round.

The final round of the 122nd MGA Amateur Championship will begin at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at The Classic at Madden’s on Gull Lake.