Vandelac Back in Front to Begin Minnesota Senior Open

  MAPLEWOOD, Minn. – Finding himself in a familiar position Tuesday at Keller Golf Course, professional Matt Vandelac fired a bogey-free 6-under 66 to take a two-stroke lead at the 41st Minnesota Senior Open.

Vandelac jumped out to the early lead a season ago and hung on to win by one stroke and now looks to become the first back-to-back winner since Don Berry’s wins in 2019 and 2020.

“I made some putts and missed one green on 18, so I hit it good,” said Vandelac, who will enter Wednesday’s final round two shots ahead of the seven-time winner Berry and Erik Toftner. “I’m comfortable with the golf course and I’m driving it well. I know that if I’m hitting it well that I have a chance—I happened to that today.”

Vandelac took the early lead Tuesday with three consecutive birdies beginning at the par-4 second before converting his fourth birdie chance of his opening nine at the eighth to turn in 4-under for the championship.

Taking advantage of the par-5 10th, Vandelac reached 5-under and rolled in his sixth birdie of the round at the 14th, a 6-footer to put himself at 6-under for his opening round.
Saving par from 10 feet at the last gave Vandelac a two-stroke advantage heading into Wednesday’s final round.

“I need to play better than I did last year—I stumbled a little bit early and fell behind,” Vandelac said looking forward to the final 18 holes of play. “Keep it under control and eliminate bogeys.”

Vandelac opened with a 5-under 67 at last year's championship and hung on to defeat amateurs Dave Carothers, 2018 champion John Brellenthin and Aaron Wiemiller by one stroke with a final-round 73. 

Israelson, winner of the 2011 championship at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club, played his first seven holes in even par Tuesday before a stretch of five birdies over his next six holes, including four straight to open his back nine.

The 68-year-old Israelson stumbled with a pair of late bogeys, but rebounded by rolling in his birdie opportunity at his 17th hole of the day to move into a share of second with Berry and Toftner at 4-under 68.

“Better than expected and I shot my age—that means I’m old,” Israelson said Tuesday. “I don’t play in as many tournaments, so you’re always a little nervous out there. I switched to a goofy-looking putter and had one hiccup where I missed a one-footer, but I made two or three really great putts. My putter really carried me.

“I’m play shots I want to play and not shots I have to play. Enjoy the game a little bit more that way instead of thinking about what you’re supposed to be doing. I haven’t been nervous in a long time, but definitely the first four or five holes will be key tomorrow if I can get off to a good start, hit some greens and not put pressure on my game.”

A winner seven times at the event, Berry recorded a lone birdie at the par-5 third hole to turn in red figures to begin the championship Tuesday.

Getting a boost with an eagle at the par-5 12th, Berry quickly moved up the leaderboard to 3-under before climbing into contention with a pair of late birdies to get to 5-under.
Berry would finish his round with a bogey at the 18th to earn a share of second place with a 68, one back of Vandelac with 18 holes to play.

Toftner, winner of the Minnesota PGA Senior Match Play Championship two seasons ago, rolled in four birdies against two bogeys to begin his opening round Tuesday, turning in 2-under.

He moved to 3-under with a birdie at the 12th and followed it by converting his birdie opportunity at the 14th to earn a share of second place at 4-under 68.

Derek Stendahl, champion in 2022, fired a 3-under 69 to begin play Tuesday and will begin Wednesday’s final round tied for fifth with amateur Joel B. Johnson, three shots off the lead.

The 2025 Minnesota Senior Open continues on Wednesday with final-round tee times beginning at 8 a.m. at Keller Golf Course.