Former New Prague Star Neisen Returns Home, Shoots 63 to Lead Women's State Open at Deer Run

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By Nick Hunter
nick@mngolf.org


  VICTORIA, Minn. – The last time Kenzie Neisen played a competitive round of golf in the state of Minnesota was the final round of the 2015 Minnesota Women’s State Open when she fired a 5-under par 67 to earn a five-stroke victory at Hillcrest Golf Club.

Neisen returned home for the first time in over two years Tuesday and opened the 2017 Minnesota Women’s State Open with a career-low 9-under par 63, setting the women’s course record to take a five-shot advantage over 2013 champion Sarah Burnham.

“When you get a good streak going you start thinking about it a little. I don’t know why but it didn’t really cross my mind today. I kind of just let it happen,” Neisen said of her opening-round 63 Tuesday. “I knew what my personal best was and knew I was beating it on the last couple of holes. It was kind of a blur—pretty relaxed round.

“I haven’t been able to play in the [Women’s State Amateur or Women’s State Open] for a couple of years because of school starting or summer classes. It’s fun to be back and I miss seeing everyone.”

Neisen hit her tee shot at the par-3 second right on line and rolled in an eight-footer for birdie to get the scoring started Tuesday. Following a second birdie at the seventh, Neisen rolled her second shot at the par-5 eighth to 15 feet and would convert eagle to quickly move to 4-under for the championship.

“I was a little worried because I hit it left off the tee and knew I was going to have to hook it around to get it on the green. I had 208 to the flag and got it up there for eagle," she said.

Neisen opened the back nine by converting birdie at the par-5 10th before sinking her birdie chance at the par-3 14th, moving to 6-under. Posting back-to-back birdies at the 16th and 17th holes, Neisen left her eagle putt on the final hole inside of a foot for a tap-in birdie finish five shots ahead of the field at 63.

“I haven’t gotten to play in as many competitive events as I’ve wanted to, so I didn’t want to set the bar too high,” Neisen said of her expectations coming into the week. “I just wanted to have fun—I guess it paid off. I don’t know if I’ll be able to do that again, but I just want to enjoy it [tomorrow] and see what happens.”

Neisen’s previous best was a 66 during the Big 12 Championship during her sophomore season.

Burnham, who set a course record during the final round at the 2013 Women’s State Open at the Wilds Golf Club, carded a lone bogey on her opening nine Tuesday before sinking six birdies and one bogey over the final nine to finish the first round in second at 4-under par 68.

"I felt I played well, obviously better on the back nine. Having six birdies on the back felt nice," Burnham said Tuesday. "I couldn't complain much about my overall round.

"The putts just didn't seem to fall on the front but I felt I had good opportunities throughout my round. It was a pretty solid day for me."

The soon-to-be senior at Michigan State University took a bogey at the par-3 second and would turn at 1-under for the championship before sinking three consecutive birdies to start her back nine Tuesday.

Rolling in another birdie at the par-3 14th, Burnham took a step back with a bogey at the 15th. She would finish her round by making a pair of birdies on the final two holes to shoot 68.

Sierra Bennion, Natalie Roth, Alex Schmid and Alexandra Stewart each carded rounds of 1-under 71 Tuesday and will begin Wednesday’s final round in a tie for third, eight strokes back of Neisen.

The final round of the 2017 Minnesota Women's State Open gets underway at 7 a.m. Wednesday at Deer Run Golf Club.



2017 WOMEN’S STATE OPEN
DEER RUN GOLF CLUB
VICTORIA, MINN.
6,088 YARDS, PAR 72


TUESDAY’S RESULTS
1. Kenzie Neisen (a), New Prague GC, 32-31—63
2. Sarah Burnham (a), Rush Creek GC, 37-31—68
T3. Sierra Bennion (a), Jamestown CC, 34-37—71
T3. Natalie Roth (a), Moorhead CC, 34-37—71
T3. Alex Schmid (a), Stonebrooke GC, 36-35—71
T3. Alexandra Stewart (a), Legends Club, 35-36—71
T7. Christine Portillo (a), Olympic Hills GC, 37-35—72
T7. Hannah Hankinson (a), Edina CC, 34-38—72
T7. Olivia Herrick (a), Dellwood CC, 35-37—72
T7. Taylor Ledwein (a), New Prague GC, 36-36—72
T7. Emily Israelson (a), Vintage GC, 35-37—72
T7. Janice Kim (a), Edinburgh USA, 35-37—72


For complete tournament results go to: https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpga17/event/mnpga1758/contest/5/leaderboard.htm