Minnesotans Peterson, Herdine, Krogen and Former Gopher Arnold Advance to U.S. Mid-Amateur

  CHASKA, Minn. – Making the decision to change putters late Monday night, Matthew Peterson began his round Tuesday at Chaska Town Course with three consecutive birdies, on his way to a round of 4-under 68 to earn medalist honors and a spot in the 2026 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship.

“I was putting terribly—made the change, had a nice hour-long practice session last night and figured I’ve got nothing to lose,” Peterson said Tuesday. “I’ve been playing really good [coming in] but it’s been a few rounds of bad putting and that was a massive difference today.

“Incredible day. My dad, Don, did a great job caddying for me. This is one of the biggest dreams I’ve had as an amateur golfer, and it means a ton because I know I’ll get to meet a lot of people and a lot of great players, so it makes you feel validated.”

Earning a spot at his first USGA championship, set to be played Sept. 26-Oct. 1 at Sand Valley Resort in Nekoosa, Wis., Peterson will be joined by former University of Minnesota golfer Harrison Arnold, former North Dakota State University golfer Jake Herdine and former St. John’s University golfer Tony Krogen.

Peterson, 33, started fast Tuesday by sinking his birdie look from four feet at the first and followed it by rolling in a 12-footer for birdie at the second. A tap-in at the third quickly put Peterson at 3-under for the day.

Sandwiched between a pair of bogeys at the fifth and seventh holes, Peterson said his birdie at the par-3 sixth was the spark he needed to carry him through the final 12 holes.

“That was sort of the game-changer because I was over the green and had about 15 yards with no green to work with and it two-hopped in the cup, so that was another accelerator after making bogey,” he said.

Turning in 3-under, Peterson found his stride on the back with consecutive pars before he’d close out the round with a birdie from 12 feet to pace the 106-player field with his 4-under 68.

“Very steady on the back and had a couple up-and-downs that were really good, it was very consistent and I did a good job of staying present—that was kind of the whole thing I try to work on because I have been a head case in the past,” Peterson said.

Looking ahead to the national event next month, Peterson’s plan is to stick to what got him there in the first place.

“Keep the expectations of one hole at a time and just enjoy the whole thing because it’s something I’ve looked forward to for a long time.”

A native of Orono, Minn., Peterson was a part of Orono High School’s Class AA team title in 2010.

Needing a little magic at the par-5 18th, the former Gopher Arnold found some in the form of an eagle on his final hole to qualify for his second consecutive U.S. Mid-Amateur.

“I decided to hit a 220 club as hard as I possibly could and it drew perfectly on line,” he said, “It pitched on the front edge of the green by a foot. Couldn’t see it because of the reeds, but had a look and it was ten feet long of the pin. That was probably the coolest putt I’ve made in a very long time.

“I got 2-under three different times during that round of golf, and one of them being on the last hole.”

Carding four birdies against two bogeys during his opening nine, Arnold took back-to-back bogeys at the 11th and 12th.

Unable to save par at the 15th, Arnold two-putted for birdie from the back of the 16th green to reach level par before punching his ticket with an eagle at the last to shoot 2-under 70 to finish tied for second with Herdine and Krogen.

A member of the Gophers from 2020-23, Arnold admittedly has played sparingly in recent weeks, and for good reason.

“Didn’t prepare well enough but managed to pull some things together today,” he said. “I’ve played two rounds since the state amateur. I know my game is there. It’s dormant to the point where I can put some good rounds of golf together. Been a little busy the last few weeks—got engaged last weekend, so there’s a lot going on.”

Arnold, from England, posted rounds of 68-75 to finish stroke play in a share of 23rd a year ago at Troon North Golf Club in Arizona, before falling to Kentucky’s Denver Haddix in 19 holes during the opening round of match play.

Earning his first trip to a USGA championship next month, Herdine tallied three birdies over his first seven holes Tuesday to help him finish in a share of second at 2-under 70.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but to make a USGA event has always been a bucket-list thing for me, so I’m overly excited to play. I will do my best to soak it in,” the 31-year-old Herdine said Tuesday. “I had a good day with my putter and had a relatively solid round of golf and, luckily, it was good enough today.

“I hold these events in high regard. Expectations were tempered but I knew the chance was there if I had a good day."

Even through 15 holes Tuesday, Krogen birdied two of his final three holes to join Arnold and Herdine in the clubhouse at 2-under 70, earning a second trip to Wisconsin for a USGA championship after qualifying for the U.S. Amateur in 2011 at Erin Hills.

Ben Greve, winner of the 2022 Minnesota Golf Association Amateur Championship, posted a round of 1-under 71 to finish as first alternate, while 2026 MGA Amateur champion Bryce Hanstad finished as second alternate.

The national championship next month marks the first USGA championship contested at Sand Valley Resort. Most recently, the 2022 Wisconsin State Amateur was held at Sand Valley, won by former University of Wisconsin golfer Tyler Obermueller.

The USGA received a record number of entries (6,124) for the championship in 2026, breaking the previous mark of 6,060 set in 2023.

Opened in 2023, the Lido Course, designed by Tom Doak and Brian Schneider, stretches to over 7,200 yards, while boasting a staggering course rating of 76.3.

Loading results…

Photo Gallery