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’ Championship on Wednesday, Kyler Schwamb was tasked with facing a second former teammate, Mason Roloff, during the championship match Thursday at Spring Hill Golf Club. 

A string of birdies midround led Schwamb to a victory over Roloff, 2-up, to claim the first state title of his career.

“The last four days have been a journey out here,” Schwamb said following his win Thursday. “I don’t think I’ve realized yet how big this is. I was looking at the trophy and all the names on it. It’s so cool to be alongside a lot of those names and even more special to have my dad on the bag.

“Today I was able to play against one of my best buddies—a brother to me. It was one of the coolest things ever and I don’t think anything like this could happen again.”

Winning the fourth and fifth holes gave Schwamb an early 2-up lead over Roloff, but the University of St. Thomas golfer reciprocated with a pair of birdies to win the sixth and seventh to even the match.

The former Farmington High School standout Schwamb converted his birdie opportunity from six feet at the 10th before capitalizing on a Roloff mistake at the 11th to take the lead for good.

Roloff cut into Schwamb’s lead late with a birdie at the par-5 16th, but Schwamb closed the door with a birdie at the 17th for his first amateur victory.

“It was cool to battle with [Roloff] and hit some clutch shots down the stretch,” Schwamb said. “I know his game better than anyone, so I know what putts to give him and what putts not to give. I knew it was going to be tough all day because we’re very competitive on and off the course.

“I was proud of the way I hit it off the tee because I haven’t been hitting it that well recently. I went to Scotland for three weeks this spring, played a lot of golf and got comfortable with the driver and was able to do that out here.

Schwamb posted a 2-under 70 during qualifying Monday to earn the No. 4 seed entering match play.

Jumping out to an early lead against the University of North Dakota’s Tucker D’Allaird, Schwamb held on for the victory, 2 and 1, before downing Pedersen during the quarterfinal round, 2-up.

A late rally against Prior Lake High School senior Jake Heinrich gave Schwamb the victory, 2-up, and a spot in the championship match.

In two seasons with the Gophers, Schwamb has appeared in six events, posting a career-low round of 70 at the Hawkeye Invitational in April.

Prior to his win Thursday, Schwamb’s best finish at a state event came in 2022 when he placed third at the Minnesota State Junior Boys’ Championship at Little Crow Country Club.

He will begin his junior season with the Gophers later this fall.

Roloff also posted a 2-under 70 during qualifying Monday to finish tied for second with Schwamb to earn the tournament’s third seed.

Edging former University of Wisconsin golfer Ryan Conn during the opening round of match play Tuesday, Roloff then defeated South Dakota State University’s Drew Teeter during the quarterfinal round, 5 and 4.

Facing former Spring Lake Park High School teammate Jake Birdwell during the semifinal round Wednesday, Roloff strung together three consecutive birdies and held on for the victory, 1-up to reach the finals for the first time.

“The swing was a little interesting this morning,” Roloff said. “Grinding all the golf together—it was a lot of golf this week. I struggled at times but hats-off to Kyler because he played a great round. I tried to battle back at the end there, but it wasn’t quite enough.

“This week shows a lot of where my game’s at and what I can do. It gives me confidence moving forward, and I would’ve liked to have gotten the win, but I’m really excited for what’s coming.”

Following three seasons with the Gophers, Roloff will graduate from Minnesota before continuing his education and playing career at St. Thomas.

The 49th MGA Players’ Championship will be contested at Olympic Hills Golf Club next June.