A 69 to Start MPGA Senior Public Links Gives Johnson a Shot at Third Title

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  FARMINGTON, Minn. – Looking to become the first repeat champion in seven years, J.T. Johnson fired a 3-under par 68 Saturday to take the opening-round lead at the 67^th Minnesota Public Golf Association Senior Public Links Championship at Southern Hills Golf Club.
 
Johnson outlasted Mark Frie during a playoff at the championship last season at Monticello to earn his second win at the event and will now enter Sunday’s final round with a one-stroke advantage over 2016 champion Scott Hogan.
 
Teeing off on the 10^th holes Saturday, Johnson got off to a shaky star t with bogeys at the 11^th and 14^th holes before finding his footing late on his opening nine by rolling in birdie at the par-5 18^th to turn at 1-over.
 
Carrying momentum to his back nine, Johnson birdied three of his first five holes to jump up the leaderboard to 2-under for the round and added one final birdie at the par-3 eighth hole to finish the day with the outright lead at 3-under par 68.
 
Johnson will need to fend off Hogan, winner of the 2016 championship at Phalen Park Golf Course, who carded three birdies with two bogeys over his first six holes Saturday before steadying his ship to card 11 consecutive pars with a birdie on his final hole to pull within one of the lead at 69. Johnson claimed his first win at the event in 2014 at Pokegama Golf Club.
 
Former Minnesota Golf Association president Ken Gerzsenyi posted a round of 1-over par 72 Saturday and will enter the final round of competition in a tie for third place with 2009 champion John Anderson.
 
The final round of the 67^th MPGA Senior Public Links Championship gets underway at 12:48 p.m. Sunday at Southern Hills Golf Club.
 
 
 
67^TH MPGA SENIOR PUBLIC LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP
SOUTHERN HILLS GOLF CLUB
FARMINGTON, MINN.
6,343 YARDS, PAR 71
 
 
SATURDAY’S RESULTS
1. J.T. Johnson, Valleywood GC, 31-37—68
2. Scott Hogan, Cannon GC, 34-35—69
T3. Ken Gerzsenyi, Eastwood GC, 36-36—72
T3. John Anderson, Bunker Hills GC, 36-36—72
T5. Greg Murphy, Keller GC, 38-36—74
T5. James Price, Legends Club, 38-36—74
T5. John Sexton, Valleywood GC, 35-39—74
T5. Tony Reed, Edinburgh USA, 37-37—74
T5. Bill Tadewald, Bunker Hills GC, 38-36—74
T10. Bruce Hegland, Cannon GC, 38-37—75
T10. Bob Neuberger, Rush Creek GC, 38-37—75
 
 
For complete tournament results go to:  www.golfgenius.com/pages/4007385298311862603