Simonich Fires Bogey-Free 68 to Lead Minnesota State Junior Boys' Championship

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  MAPLE PLAIN, Minn. – Carding three birdies during his opening nine holes Tuesday, Ian Simonich managed one more birdie over his final nine holes to post a bogey-free 68 at Pioneer Creek Golf Club to take the 18-hole lead at the 93^rd Minnesota State Junior Boys’ Championship.
 
When the championship resumes with Tuesday’s final round, Simonich will take a one-stroke advantage over Class AAA individual champion Brock Winter, Ian Meyer, Nate Adams and Jack Johnson, each carding rounds of 3-under 69.
 
Simonich started quickly Tuesday, carding back-to-back birdies at the second and third holes to quickly dip into red figures for the championship. Rolling in birdie at the par-5 ninth, Simonich headed to the inward nine at 3-under par.
 
Carrying his steady play to the final nine holes Tuesday, Simonich carded one birdie and eight pars to finish the first day of competition with a clean scorecard.
 
Simonich closed out his sophomore season at Moorhead High School by shooting 6-over par 150, finishing 16th last month at the Class AAA championship at Bunker Hills Golf Club.
 
The final round of the 93^rd Minnesota State Junior Boys’ Championship gets underway at 7:00 a.m. Wednesday at Pioneer Creek Golf Club.