Snyder Within Reach of Third Minnesota PGA Match Play Title

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  ROSEVILLE, Minn. – With two former champions eliminated from the field Thursday, Brent Snyder remains the only former champion at the Minnesota PGA Match Play Championship at Midland Hills Country Club as Snyder won both his matches and will face Derek Stendahl in the finals.

Defending champion Jeff Sorenson fell to Stendahl during Thursday’s quarterfinal round, 4 and 2, before Stendahl defeated Paul Speltz to reach the final match Friday, while Grant Shafranski knocked out five-time champion Don Berry before losing to 2013 champion Snyder during Thursday’s afternoon match.

During his semifinal match Thursday, Stendahl quickly built a 3-up lead through five holes after Speltz struggled early, and Stendahl would take a 5-up lead through nine holes. But a string of four bogeys over a five-hole span saw Stendahl’s lead slip to two before he and Speltz both made par on the final two holes, giving Stendahl the victory, 2 and 1.

Snyder outdueled Sorenson to win his first match play title in 2010 at Dellwood Country Club before defeating Don Berry to win the 2013 championship at Rush Creek Golf Club.

On Thursday, Snyder fell down early to Shafranski, but would even the match by sinking birdie at the par-5 fifth. Shafranski regained a slight lead by making birdie at the seventh before the two would trade pars over the next six holes.

Taking advantage of a double-bogey by Snyder at the 14th and sinking a birdie at the 15th, Shafranski’s lead swelled to three late, but Snyder fought back to win the final three holes to force extra golf.

After Shafranski’s approach spun off the green, he was unable to get up-and-down for par, while Snyder carded a rudimentary two-putt par to earn the victory in 19 holes.

The 2017 Minnesota PGA Match Play Championship concludes Friday with the championship match slated to begin at 9 a.m. at Midland Hills Country Club.



THE 2017 MINNESOTA PGA MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
MIDLAND HILLS COUNTRY CLUB
ROSEVILLE, MINN.
6,867 YARDS, PAR 72


THURSDAY’S SEMIFINAL RESULTS
Derek Stendahl, Rush Creek GC, def. Paul Speltz, Brackett’s Crossing CC, 2 and 1
Brent Snyder, Troy Burne GC, def. Grant Shafranksi, Hiawatha GC, 19 holes


THURSDAY’S QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
Derek Stendahl, Rush Creek GC, def. Jeff Sorenson, Minikahda Club, 4 and 2
Paul Speltz, Brackett’s Crossing CC, def. Scott McDonald, Minnewaska GC, 4 and 3
Brent Snyder, Troy Burne GC, def. Jonathan Reigstad, Keller GC, 3 and 1
Grant Shafranski, Hiawatha GC, def. Don Berry, Edinburgh USA, 2 and 1


WEDNESDAY’S ROUND OF 16 RESULTS
Jeff Sorenson, Minikahda Club, def. Andy Smith, Hazeltine Nat’l GC, 7 and 6
Derek Stendahl, Rush Creek GC, def. Derek Holmes, Dellwood CC, 3 and 2
Paul Speltz, Brackett’s Crossing CC, def. Eric Rolland, Augsburg College, 3 and 1
Scott McDonald, Minnewaska GC, def. Eddie Wynne, University GC, 2 and 1
Brent Snyder, Troy Burne GC, def. Chris Borgen, Lost Spur GC, 6 and 5
Jonathan Reigstad, Keller GC, def. Bob Miller, Minnewaska GC, 3 and 1
Don Berry, Edinburgh USA, def. Tom Kirkland, Victory Links GC, 1-up
Grant Shafranski, Hiawatha GC, def. Eric Chiles, Chaska TC, 1-up


WEDNESDAY’S ROUND OF 32 RESULTS
Jeff Sorenson, Minikahda Club, BYE
Andy Smith, Hazeltine Nat’l GC, def. Chris Peterson, Dellwood CC, 2 and 1
Derek Holmes, Dellwood CC, def. Thaddeus Bloberger, Midland Hills CC, 2 and 1
Derek Stendahl, Rush Creek GC, def. Daniel Callahan, Island View GC, 2-up
Eric Rolland, Augsburg College, def. Larry Norland, Greenhaven GC, 3 and 2
Paul Speltz, Brackett’s Crossing CC, def. Jeff Running, Burl Oaks GC, concession
Eddie Wynne, University GC, def. Matt Vandelac, Unattached, 2 and 1
Scott McDonald, Minnewaska GC, def. Philip Anderson, North Oaks GC, 3 and 2
Brent Snyder, Troy Burne GC, BYE
Chris Borgen, Lost Spur GC, def. Christopher Sauer, Cedar Creek GC, 1-up
Jonathan Reigstad, Keller GC, def. Ryan Hanford, Midland Hills GC, 2 and 1
Bob Miller, Minnewaska GC, def. Timothy Brovold, Bunker Hills GC, 19 holes
Don Berry, Edinburgh USA, def. Shawn Weisen, Royal GC, concession
Tom Kirkland, Victory Links GC, def. Kris Kroetsch, Fargo CC, 1-up
Eric Chiles, Chaska TC, def. Greg Jamieson, University GC, 2 and 1
Grant Shafranski, Hiawatha GC, def. Erik Toftner, Hiawatha GC, concession