Pendleton Shrugs off Early Bogey, Shoots 65 to Lead MGA Mid-Amateur Championship

  EDINA, Minn. – A bogey on the opening hole Tuesday at Braemar Golf Course proved to be a pain in the neck for Jason Pendleton in more ways than one.

“I had a neck issue that popped up on Saturday, so I had to shut it down for the weekend,” Pendleton said following his opening round. “I had low expectations today—playing a little injured, so I was just kind of bumming my way around the course.”

Pendleton went on to birdie eight of his final 15 holes Tuesday to take the first-round lead with a 7-under 65 at the 38th Minnesota Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship.

When the championship resumes Wednesday, he will take a two-stroke advantage over five-time champion Trent Peterson to the second round.

“A fun day—tough pins, and a getable layout,” he said. “One of those days where you have good lies in the fairways and good clubs into the greens. That paid off with some quality shots, hitting them close, and had some really good up-and-downs.

“Good course management and no penalty strokes. Aggressive off the tee, but also smart, just a solid round.”

Following a three-putt bogey at the first, Pendleton tallied three straight birdies beginning at the fourth before a two-putt for birdie at the eight and converting his birdie look from 10 feet at the ninth to turn in 4-under for the round.

Cooling off slightly to begin his back nine, Pendleton carded consecutive pars before finishing with a flurry of three straight birdies, including a two-putt par at the 16th and then knocking in birdie chances inside of six feet at 16 and 17 to post an opening-round 65.

Pendleton will shift venues to Owatonna Country Club for his second round Tuesday, looking to improve on a seventh-place finish last season at Chaska Town Course.

“Never played [Owatonna Country Club], so we’ll have to figure it out,” Pendleton said. “I have a yardage book, so that’ll help.”

Peterson, a winner of four state events already this season, including the Minnesota Public Golf Association Public Links Championship at Prestwick Golf Club and the MGA Amateur Four-Ball Championship with partner Brett Benson at Oak Ridge Country Club in the past 10 days.

“I hit 17 greens, so it was pretty stress-free,” Peterson said following his opening round Tuesday. “It’s fun playing in the first group—we played in [three hours and 59 minutes], three holes ahead of the group behind us.”

Asked how his game will translate when the venue shifts to Owatonna Country Club for his second round Wednesday, Peterson said, “We’ll just have to adjust to the conditions down there; I haven’t played it in a while.

“Will the greens be faster or slower? Will it be as firm as Braemar? The adjustment shouldn’t be too bad—I feel like I do that every day I play golf.”

Peterson opened the season with a victory at the MPGA Mid Public Links Championship at Fox Hollow Golf Club before winning the Loren Krugel Invitational at Mankato Golf Club.

Less than two weeks ago, Peterson claimed his fifth MPGA Public Links Championship at Prestwick Golf Club before claiming the MGA Amateur Four-Ball with partner Brett Benson Wednesday at Oak Ridge Country Club for the 44th state victory of his career.

A 4-under 68 Tuesday put Matt Opsal in a share of third place with Keith Goodman, Corey Schommer and 2024 MGA Men’s Player of the Year Max Tylke, three shots off the lead.

The 38th MGA Mid-Amateur Championship continues Wednesday when the second round begins at 8 a.m. at both Owatonna Country Club and Braemar Golf Course.