Peterson and Lambert Share Lead with 67s at MPGA Public Links

  WOODBURY, Minn. – In search of his second win of the season and fifth victory at the Minnesota Public Golf Association Public Links Championship, Trent Peterson posted an opening-round 67 Saturday at Prestwick Golf Club to share the early lead with Kurt Lambert.

When the final round begins Sunday, Peterson and Lambert will share a one-stroke advantage over Owen Rexing and Carson Boe.

Peterson began with birdies at two of his first three holes Saturday before dropping a pair of birdie looks at the eighth and ninth holes to turn in 4-under for the championship.

After carding a third consecutive birdie at the 10th, Peterson took a step back with a bogey at the 13th, but carded a late birdie on his final hole of the day to earn a share of the 18-hole lead with Lambert at 5-under 67.

Back-to-back rounds of 67 last season at Loggers Trail Golf Course helped Peterson to a three-stroke victory over Max Tylke for his fourth win at the championship, previously winning in 2006, 2019 and 2021.

A win earlier this season at the MPGA Mid Public Links Championship at Fox Hollow Golf Club marked the 41st state victory of his career for the 38-year-old Peterson.

Lambert made a big jump on the leaderboard early in his opening round Saturday by carding an eagle at the par-5 fourth. He’d card his only bogey of the round on the ensuing hole, but rallied with three birdies over his final four holes of the front nine to turn in 4-under.

A lone birdie at the par-5 16th put Lambert in a share of the clubhouse lead with Peterson, shooting 5-under 67.

A University of St. Thomas golfer, Rexing produced a 4-under 68 during his opening round Saturday to sit tied for third with Boe, while a total of five players will begin the final round in a share of fifth at 3-under 69.

The final round of the 103rd MPGA Public Links Championship gets underway at 11:24 a.m. Sunday at Prestwick Golf Club.