Now a Professional, McCain Fires 68 Looking for Second State Open Crown

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  COON RAPIDS, Minn. – After carding two birdies against one bogey during his opening nine holes Friday, Andrew McCain rolled in three birdies over his final nine holes to post a 4-under par 68 to take the clubhouse lead at the 101^st Minnesota State Open at Bunker Hills Golf Club.
 
McCain, who won the championship as an amateur in 2015 at Mendakota Country Club, will enter Saturday’s second round with a one shot advantage, looking to become the first professional to win the tournament since Ryan Peterson claimed the title in 2012 at Bunker Hills.
 
“It was a good day—didn’t really have my best stuff on the front nine for me. I missed a lot of fairways and was out of position,” McCain said Friday. “I was able to turn at under par and the front nine is a little more open and had some chances and play the par-5’s well and you should be okay.
 
“I felt like I turned an average score into a good day. Hopefully tomorrow we can drive it a little better and get myself a few more opportunities.”
 
Beginning his day on the 10^th tee Friday, McCain birdied the par-5 11^th but gave back a stroke with his only blemish of the day, a bogey at the par-4 16^th. Turning with some momentum after a bogey at the 18^th, McCain again converted his birdie chance at the par-5 third to move to 2-under for the round.
 
Carding back-to-back birdies on his final two holes Friday, McCain grabbed the early lead with a round of 4-under par 68 to sit one shot better than professionals Josh Whalen and Jay Norman, as well as amateurs Ben Hauge and 2005 champion Jered Gusso, who each posted opening-round 69’s.
 
McCain posted a 2-under par 70 during the final round of the 2015 championship, edging Clayton Rask by one stroke to claim his biggest state championship as an amateur.
 
Ben Greve, the two-time defending champion, carded a 2-under par 70 Friday and will begin Saturday’s second round tied for sixth with William Frazier, Caleb VanArragon, University of Minnesota golfer Benjamin Frazzini and professional Jonathan Reigstad.
 
The 101^st Minnesota State Open continues Saturday with tee times for the second round beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Bunker Hills Golf Club.
 
 
 
THE 101^ST MINNESOTA STATE OPEN
BUNKER HILLS GOLF CLUB
COON RAPIDS, MINN.
7,137 YARDS, PAR 72
 
 
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
1. Andrew McCain (p), Dellwood CC, 33-35—68
T2. Josh Whalen (p), Elk River CC, 32-37—69
T2. Jay Norman (p), TPC Twin Cities, 32-37—69
T2. Ben Hauge, Interlachen CC, 31-38—69
T2. Jared Gusso, Southern Hills GC, 35-34—69
T6. William Frazier, Brackett’s Crossing CC, 34-36—70
T6. Jonathan Reigstad (p), Keller GC, 37-33—70  
T6. Caleb VanArragon, Bunker Hills GC, 35-35—70
T6. Benjamin Frazzini, Windsong Farm, 35-35—70
T6. Ben Greve, Olympic Hills GC, 34-36—70
 
 
For complete tournament results go to:  https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpga18/event/mnpga1835/contest/5/leaderboard.htm