Ebner and Spier Shoot 70 to Lead Minnesota State Junior Boys' Championship in Winona

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  WINONA, Minn. – Jack Ebner and Wyatt Spier each carded rounds of 1-under par 70 Monday to earn a share of the lead after the opening round of the 91st Minnesota State Junior Boys’ Championship at Bridges Golf Club.

Ebner and Spier will enter Tuesday’s final round with a one-stroke advantage over Henry May, Brennan Rothgarn and Carson Haley, who each shot even par to begin the championship.

Ebner, Edina, Minn., began the first round on the 10th tee Monday, playing a steady front nine with a lone birdie at the par-4 14th to turn at 1-under.

Drawing even with a bogey at the fourth, Ebner rebounded by converting birdie on the following hole and would get to 2-under after his third birdie of the round at the eighth, but he dropped a shot on the final hole to grab a share of the lead.

“Going into my round I figured one or two under would put me in a good place,” Ebner said following his round Monday. “I played very consistent all day and made two par putts on my first two holes from 10-plus feet which gave me some momentum.”

Firing a 5-under par 68 last month at Emerald Greens Golf Club, Ebner earned a spot in the 2017 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. The national tournament will be played July 17-22 at Flint Hills National Golf Club in Andover, Kan.

Spier also started strong Monday, playing the front nine at 1-under with a birdie at the par-5 fifth. He would draw even following a bogey at the 11th, but came right back to birdie the par-4 14th to finish the day tied with Ebner in first at 70, the only scores below par in the 141-player field.

“I struck the ball really well today and played each shot one at a time,” Spier said Monday. “I’m looking forward to the challenge tomorrow and staying in the moment.”

The 91st Minnesota State Junior Boys’ Championship concludes Tuesday with final-round tee times beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Bridges Golf Club.