Burleson Continues Hot Streak, Wins MPGA Mid Public Links by One Stroke at Goodrich

June 17, 2018 | 4 min.

 
 
By Nick Hunter
nick@mngolf.org
 
 
  MAPLEWOOD, Minn. – Coming off a strong performance at the Minnesota Golf Association Mid-Players’ Championship Thursday at Brackett’s Crossing, Justin Burleson birdied three of his final four holes Sunday at Goodrich Golf Course to win the 14th Minnesota Public Golf Association Mid Public Links, collecting his second state victory in three days.
 
Severe weather delayed the start of the opening round Saturday before tournament officials postponed the first round and would eventually shorten the championship to one 18-hole round Sunday.
 
Burleson started fast and ended with a flurry of late birdies to shoot a 3-under par 67 to edge Trent Peterson by one stroke, while Andy Jacobson and Dylan Gergen both fired rounds of even par 70 to finish in a tie for third.
 
“Since I’ve gotten back into competitive golf after high school and college, my game is the best it’s been. I played pretty solid again today. I hadn’t touched a club since the Mid-Players’—my body was tired,” Burleson said after playing five rounds in three days leading to his victory earlier in the week. “I got out here and felt pretty good. I didn’t have any three-putts and made a few good 10 to 12-foot par putts.”
 
Burleson got his putter going early Sunday, rolling in a birdie from 20 feet at the par-4 second and knocked his approach inside of six feet on the ensuing hole, carding a second birdie to quickly jump to 2-under.
 
Turning at 1-under following a bogey at the eighth, Burleson bounced right back with a two-putt birdie at the 10th. Trouble off the tee at the 11th and 13th led to bogeys for Burleson as he dropped back to even par for the championship before his flurry finish—carding three birdies over his final four holes.
 
“This course is short but it’s tight. If you hit your drive in the fairway you’re looking at a possible birdie,” Burleson said. “A couple of holes I bogeyed on the back nine were two drives that found the rough. If you get in the trees you’re in trouble out here.”
 
Burleson sank a 15-footer at the 15th and chipped in after missing the green at the par-3 17th. He would clinch the championship when his birdie look from 20 feet fell on the final hole to shoot 67, earning his second victory this season and third over the past three years.
 
He credits his strong and consistent play to improving his game on the putting surface. Since moving to Minnesota from Texas, Burleson has collected 20 top-10 finishes with three victories since 2013, including five top-5’s in 2017. His win over Peterson at the MGA Mid-Players’ Thursday was his first since claiming the 2016 MPGA Mid Public Links Championship at Blackberry Ridge Golf Club.
 
“I haven’t been practicing as much this year as I did last year. I’ve made an effort over the last couple of years that when I have time I usually do it on the putting green,” Burleson said of his recent prowess with the flatiron. “The biggest problem I was having was 50-footers and I couldn’t get it inside of eight feet. You’re going to have some three-putts if you can’t do that.
 
“That work has paid off. If you shoot 75 with five-three putts—take out the three putts and it makes a big difference. I consider my putting back to where it used to be and I feel like I’m not fighting the putter anymore and that’s the main thing. Putting is half feel and half putting the time into it. I’ve put the time in the last few years.”
 
Peterson, who fell to Burleson during the final match Thursday, took the clubhouse lead following his round of 68 early Sunday. Starting on the 10th hole, Peterson carded four birdies over his first seven holes before taking a bogey at the 18th to turn at 3-under.
 
Sinking back-to-back birdies at the fourth and fifth holes, Peterson was cruising at 5-under but stumbled down the stretch by making three bogeys over his final four holes to finish at 68, one shot behind Burleson.
 
Sunday’s finish is the second consecutive runner-up result for Peterson, who lost to Michael Christensen in a playoff a year ago at Highland National Golf Course after both players shot a 4-under par 140 in regulation. The MPGA Mid Public Links is one of the only tournaments that eludes Peterson’s impressive golf resume after becoming eligible as a mid-player last year. He has 18 state victories to his credit dating back to 2003.
 
 
 
14TH MPGA MID PUBLIC LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP
GOODRICH GOLF COURSE
MAPLEWOOD, MINN.
6,208 YARDS, PAR 70
 
 
FINAL RESULTS
1. Justin Burleson, Valleywood GC, 34-33—67
2. Trent Peterson, Valleywood GC, 36-32—68
T3. Andy Jacobson, Eagle Creek GC, 35-35—70
T3. Dylan Gergen, Inverwood GC, 34-36—70
T5. Shane Barnes, Braemar, GC, 38-33—71
T5. Rob Kimlinger, Eagle Valley GC, 38-33—71
T5. Adam Almich, Ponds at Battle Creek, 36-35—71
T8. Gary Huber, Loggers Trail GC, 36-36—72
T8. Chris Tollefsrud, Dahlgreen GC, 35-37—72
T8. Steve Whittaker, Pebble Creek GC, 35-37—72
T8. Keith Piotrowski, University GC, 35-37—72
T8. J.J. Reith, Goodrich GC, 36-36—72
 
 
For complete tournament results go to:  www.golfgenius.com/pages/3994689146747640058


 

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