Rask Jumps into Lead With a 66 at MN State Open at Edinburgh

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By Nick Hunter
nhunter@mngolf.org


  BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. – In May, Clayton Rask opened the Minnesota Golf Champions tournament at Minneapolis Golf Club with a 2-over par 74 before carding a 6-under par 66 in the second round, eventually going on to win the tournament.

His performance thus far at the 2013 Minnesota State Open at Edinburgh USA Golf Club is beginning to look eerily familiar. Rask shot a first-round 1-over par 73 Friday but carded another 6-under par 66 Saturday to catapult himself into the lead heading into Sunday’s final round.

Rask, Elk River, Minn., started his round on the 10th hole with a bogey right out of the gate but responded with a birdie on the 12th hole to fall back to even. After four straight pars, Rask made birdie on the 17th to make the turn 1-under par.

To say Rask got on a roll on the back nine is a slight understatement as he shot 5-under par on the final nine holes—that’s including two bogeys.

Rask eagled the par-5 first hole to go 3-under for the round but made bogey on the fourth. He would again eagle the par-5 fourth hole to move to 4-under par for the day. He gained another stroke on the next hole with a birdie but gave it right back with a bogey on the sixth hole to drop back to 4-under par.

From there Rask made birdie on the final two holes of the day to finish at 66 and 5-under par for the tournament. Rask won the tournament in 2010 when it was played at Bunker Hills Golf Club in Coon Rapids, Minn.

Sammy Schmitz, Valleywood Golf Course, sits in a tie for second place after a 1-under par performance Saturday.

“I got off to a good start again today with a good up and down for par on the 10th hole,” Schmitz said. “I made a really good birdie on the 12th with about a 55-foot bunker shot that went to about 3-feet.”

Schmitz would bogey the 14th hole to draw even but moved back to 1-under with a birdie on the 17th hole and made the turn at 1-under par.

On the back nine, Schmitz struggled on the par-5 fourth hole making double bogey to move to 1-over for the day but his excellent ball striking showed by making birdie on the par-3 sixth and eighth holes to finish his round at 1-under and sits just one stroke behind the leader Rask.

“I’ve been hitting the ball well the last few days and my putting has been solid but I’ve missed a lot of birdie putts in the first two days. If I made a few of those, I’d be in a better position going into tomorrow,” Schmitz said. “If I can make a few putts tomorrow, I’ll be in good shape.”

Minnesota Gopher Jon DuToit also stands tied for second after his round of 69 Saturday. DuToit had a blemish-free opening nine holes as he three birdies and six pars to make the turn at 3-under par. On the final nine holes he would make one mistake with a bogey on the 12th hole but bounced back with a birdie on the final hole of the afternoon to shoot 69 and puts himself in great position for Sunday’s final round.

Among the seven players tied for fourth place are Robert Bell, who led after round one shooting a 5-under par 67, Sam Matthew, who won the Minnesota Golf Association Amateur Championship Wednesday at Medina Golf and Country Club, and Ben Welle, who finished as runner-up in the MGA Amateur.

“I think I was a little more nervous today than I was yesterday,” said Bell after his round Saturday. “I don’t feel like I hit the ball any different than I did yesterday but I struggled around the greens.”

Bell, a former Gopher, bogey the opening hole to get off to a shaky start but made birdie on the 13th hole (started on 10th hole) to go back to even. A bogey on the 14th hole put Bell at 1-over par heading into the final nine holes.

He wouldn’t fair much better on the back nine as he birdied the par-5 first hole but made back-to-back bogeys on the second and third to go 2-over for the round. He settled down from there and went on to make six pars to end the round two shots behind the leader.

“I just didn’t have it today—I didn’t see any putts fall. I put myself in a lot of the same situations as I did yesterday off the tee; I used irons and found a lot of fairways which helped. For the most part I’ll keep the same game plan for tomorrow. I may need to change it a bit if I’m in the hunt down the stretch on 15 or 16—I may need to get aggressive.”

Matthews, Midland Hills Country Club, is coming off a big win at the amateur tournament and his strong play has continued through to the Open. After an opening round 72, Matthew carded a 3-under par 69 to move within two shots of the lead Saturday.

Matthew bogeyed the first hole of the day on the 10th hole but bounced back with consecutive birdies on the 12th and 13th holes to go 1-under. On the back nine Matthew made eagle on the par-5 fourth hole before dropping a shot on the fifth hole with a bogey. After a birdie on the sixth and bogey on the eighth, Matthew ended his round with a birdie on the ninth hole to finish at 3-under 69 (141).

Welle, The Meadows Golf Club, also played well in the amateur tournament, losing to Matthew by a stroke and has shown a lot of poise playing with the best amateurs and professionals in the state. Welle made bogey on the first hole of the morning (started on No. 10) before back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th put him at 1-under through four holes.

He made par on the next eight holes before an eagle on the par-5 fourth put him at 3-under for the round. He went on to make two birdies and two bogeys on the final five holes to finish his round at 69 (141).

The final round is set to begin at 8:10 a.m. Sunday, with the final group teeing off at 10 a.m.


EDINBURGH USA GOLF CLUB
BROOKLYN PARK, MINN.
PAR 72, 6,888 YARDS

ROUND 2 RESULTS
1. Clayton Rask (p), Crystal Lake, 73-66--139
T2. Sammy Schmitz (a), Valleywood GC, 69-71--140
T2. Jon DuToit (a), Chaska TC, 71-69--140
T4. Jesse Bull (a), Golden Valley G&CC, 71-70--141
T4. Jeff Sorenson (p), Columbia GC, 73-68--141
T4. Ben Welle (a), The Meadows GC, 72-69--141
T4. Sam Matthew (a), Midland Hills CC, 72-69--141
T4. Trent Peterson (a), Valleywood GC, 70-71--141
T4. Robert Bell (p), University GC, 67-74--141
T4. Thomas Campbell (p), University GC, 70-71--141
T11. Jordan Hawkinson (a), Chisago Lakes GC, 73-70--143
T11. Grady Meyer (a), Windsong Farm GC, 75-68--143
T11. Dominic Kieffer (a), Somerby GC, 71-72--143
T14. Dan Moline (a), Ridgeview CC, 69-75--144
T14. Taylor Sundbom (a), Enger Park GC, 76-68--144
T14. Jack Wawro (p), The Pines, 73-71--144
T14. Chris Borgen (p), Lost Spur GC, 72-72--144
T14. Jesse Larson (a), LeSueur CC, 71-73--144
T14. Ralph Baxley (p), Valleywood GC, 74-70--144
T20. Eric Rolland (p), Woodhill CC, 72-73--145
T20. Justin Smith (p), University of MN, 75-70--145
T20. Dylan Gergen (a), Mendakota CC, 75-70--145
T20. Daryl Schomer (a), Wapicada GC, 72-73--145
T20. David Haley (p), University GC, 72-73--145
T20. Cameron White (p), University GC, 75-70--145
T20. Don Berry (p), Edinburgh USA GC, 76-69--145
T27. Derek Holmes (p), River Oaks GC, 74-72--146
T27. Ian Hessels (p), New Richmond GC, 74-72--146
T27. Ryan Helminen (p), Ridgeway G&CC, 75-71--146
T27. Josh Blackman (a), Mankato GC, 74-72--146
T27. Andy Smith (p), Superior National GC, 70-76--146
T27. Matt Norgaard (p), Somerby GC, 72-74--146
T27. Justin Burleson (a), Valleywood GC, 74-72--146
T27. Sammy Meyer (p), Rush Creek GC, 72-74--146
T27. David Steingart (a), Edina CC, 72-74--146
T36. Jeff Crouch (p), Island View GC, 77-70--147
T36. Jonathan Reigstad (p), Reigstad Golf, 75-72--147
T36. Tyler Ekenberg (p), Valleywood GC, 74-73--147
T36. Bennett Schroeder (a), Bent Creek GC, 74-73--147
T40. Danny Sinksen (p), Elmwood Park GC, 77-71--148
T40. Luke Benoit (p), University GC, 72-76--148
T40. Beau Hanson (a), Detroit CC, 78-70--148
T40. Andy Bang (p), Minneapolis GC, 79-69--148
T40. Billy Lewis (p), Hiawatha GC, 72-76--148
T40. Julian Ramirez (a), Riverwood Nat'l GC, 74-74--148
T40. Troy Johnson (a), Rush Creek GC, 75-73--148
T47. Scott Cole (p), New Richmond GC, 77-72--149
T47. Brent Snyder (p), Troy Burne GC, 77-72--149
T47. Conrad Hahne (a), Links at Northfork, 72-77--149
T47. Jim Foss (a), Oakcrest GC, 76-73--149
T47. Ryan Conn (p), Alexandria GC, 78-71--149
T47. Jon Hanner (a), Baker National GC, 72-77--149
T47. Ben Meyers (p), Medina G&CC, 77-72--149
T54. Eric Chiles (p), Chaska TC, 74-76--150
T54. Alex Kolquist (a), Lester Park GC, 72-78--150
T54. Jack Holmgren (a), Baker National GC, 70-80--150
T54. Derek Stendahl (p), Rush Creek GC, 76-74--150
T54. Justin Doeden (a), Legends Club, 77-73--150
T54. William Leaf (a), The Bridges GC, 75-75--150
T54. George Smith (p), Dick's Sporting Goods, 79-71--150
T54. Brian Hills (p), Wild Marsh GC, 75-75--150
T54. Ryan Peterson (p), Cannon GC, 80-70—150

MISSED CUT
MC. Chris Peterson (p), StoneRidge GC, +7
MC. Adam Hanson (p), Alexandria GC, +7
MC. Kris Kroetsch (p), Fargo CC, +7
MC. Bill Israelson (p), Vintage GC, +7
MC. Marshall Hoiness (p), The Minikahda Club, +7
MC. Dalton Charboneau (a), Sundance GC, +7
MC. Brad Schmierer (p), Hastings CC, +7
MC. Greg Werner (a), The Wilds GC, +8
MC. Jon Trasamar (a), University GC, +8
MC. Mark Giorgi (a), Red Wing GC, +8
MC. Kevin Cashman (p), Bearpath G&CC, +8
MC. Alex Gaugert (a), University GC, +8
MC. Trent Sundbom (a), Ridgeview CC, +8
MC. Alex Kline (a), Links at Northfork, +8
MC. Jesse Polk (a), Hastings CC, +8
MC. Paul Vogt (a), Minnesota Valley CC, +8
MC. Joe Stansberry (p), Hiawatha GC, +8
MC. Shane Barnes (a), Twin Cities GC, +8
MC. John Cleary (p), University of MN, +8
MC. Pete LaCoursiere (p), Southview CC, +9
MC. Dylan Baker (a), Golden Valley G&CC, +9
MC. Brian Seiwert (p), Bearpath G&CC, +9
MC. Max Rosenthal (a), Bearpath G&CC, +9
MC. Colton Buege (a), Fox Hollow GC, +9
MC. Hudson Carpenter (a), Stillwater CC, +9
MC. Adam Petterson (a), Legends Club, +10
MC. Topher Baron (a), Sawmill GC, +10
MC. Mike Barge (p), Hazeltine National GC, +10
MC. Scott McDonald (p), Minnewaska GC, +10
MC. Eddie Wynne (p), University GC, +10
MC. Matthew Swanson (a), Purple Hawk CC, +10
MC. Riley Conlin (a), Golden Valley G&CC, +10
MC. Andrew Benson (a), Minnetonka CC, +11
MC. Mike Zinni (p), Mankato GC, +11
MC. Sam Foust (a), Edina CC, +11
MC. Peter Jones (a), Owatonna CC, +11
MC. David Anderson (a), Bent Creek GC, +11
MC. Chris Bailey (p), North Oaks GC, +11
MC. Jeremy Tetrault (a), Forest Hills GC, +11
MC. Tyler Lowenstein (a), Rush Creek GC, +11
MC. Joel B Johnson (a), Links at Northfork, +11
MC. Brian Paulson (p), The Bridges GC, +12
MC. Tim Johnson (p), The Pines, +12
MC. Ronald Rebrovich (p), Alexandria GC, +12
MC. Brian Parkhurst (a), Hazeltine National GC, +13
MC. Charlie Larson (p), Thumper Pond GC, +13
MC. Todd Kolb (p), Willow Run GC, +13
MC. Collin Seal (a), Deer Run GC, +14
MC. Craig Brischke (p), Tanners Brook GC, +14
MC. Chris Conklin (a), Hazeltine National GC, +14
MC. Jim Lehman (a), Windsong Farm GC, +14
MC. Aaron Pulanco (a), Mississippi Dunes GL, +14
MC. Dave Nordeen (p), Somerby GC, +15
MC. Shane Sienko (a), Mendakota CC, +15
MC. Cory Blenkush (p), Baker National GC, +15
MC. Ty Armstrong (p), GolfTec, +15
MC. Matthew Chock (a), Midland Hills CC, +16
MC. Chandler Fritcher (a), Eastwood GC, +16
MC. Will Hickey (a), StoneRidge GC, +16
MC. John Anderson (a), Bunker Hills GC, +16
MC. Paul Meyer (p), White Eagle GC, +16
MC. C.J. DeBerg (p), Baker National GC, +16
MC. Tony Gergen (a), Mendakota CC, +16
MC. Austin Wilson (a), Bearpath G&CC, +16
MC. Dan Lensing (a), Rush Creek GC, +17
MC. Jason Rhoades (a), Legends Club, +17
MC. Timothy Brovold (p), Bunker Hills GC, +17
MC. Cooper Stainbrook (a), Tanners Brook GC, +17
MC. David McCook (a), University GC, +18
MC. Jordan Peters (a), Burl Oaks GC, +18
MC. Anthony Johnson (a), Stillwater CC, +19
MC. Tom Heidrick (a), Valleywood GC, +20
MC. Sam Steinwand (a), Bunker Hills GC, +20
MC. Erik Toftner (p), Hiawatha GC, +22
MC. John Buan (a), Baker National GC, +22
MC. Kevin Krigbaum (a), Bunker Hills GC, +22
MC. Doug Jeans (a), Forest Hills GC, +22
MC. Nathan Petric (p), Gopher Hills GC, +23
MC. Shane Kvidera (a), Rum River Hills GC, +23
MC. Matt Vandelac (p), Tartan Park GC, +23
MC. Andrew Brandt (a), Medina G&CC, +24
MC. Kyle Scanlon (a), Stillwater CC, +24
MC. Genki Hirayama (a), University GC, +25
MC. Andrew Krasaway (a), Lester Park GC, +26
MC. Matthew Morin (p), Rush Creek GC, +26
MC. Matthew Shawd (a), Bent Creek GC, +29
MC. Philip Johnson (a), Valleywood GC, +37
MC. Matt Witham (a), Keller GC, +39
WD. Aaron Jacobson (p), Rush Creek GC, +8
WD. Jordan Ryan (a), Hazeltine National GC, +19
WD. Gus Kellom (a), Rush Creek GC, +24
NS. Adam Guili (p), Edinburgh USA GC, +6
NS. Curtis Mohr (a), Chaska TC, +10
NS. Zach Maanum (a), Island View GC, +16