Anderson and Wilson Take Thin Lead to Final Round of MGA Four-Ball at Eagle Creek

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  WILLMAR, Minn. – Posting rounds of 5-under par 67 Tuesday, the team of Jesse Polk and Sammy Schmitz and led the way during the second day of competition along with the pairing of Jesse Bull and Will Hickey, and the twosome of Austin Dickey and Alex Schmitz, but sit tied for 11th overall.

The team of Eric Anderson and Dean Wilson maintain a one-stroke advantage over the twosome of Mike Fiedler and Johnny Larson heading into Wednesday’s final round after posting a 10-under par 62 on Monday.

The top 15 teams, plus ties, from Monday’s opening session along with the top 21 teams, plus ties, from Tuesday’s round advanced to Wednesday’s final round.

Polk and Schmitz won the event in 2014 at Owatonna Country Club, but will need to overcome a five-stroke deficit when play resumes Wednesday. Schmitz rolled in two birdie opportunities on the front nine Tuesday, while Polk added a birdie to the scorecard at the par-5 fourth as the two would turn at 3-under for the championship.

Back-to-back birdies at the 12th and 13th holes put Polk and Schmitz at 5-under for the championship, but the pair would take bogey at the 14th. Finishing strong with a birdie on the final hole, Polk and Schmitz carded a 5-under par 67 to sit tied for 11th, five strokes back.

Bull, half of the defending champion team from a season ago with playing partner Andrew McCain, paired up with Hickey this week and the two started fast with three birdies over the first six holes to quickly move to 3-under.

A birdie sandwiched between a pair of bogeys early on the back nine dropped Bull and Hickey back to 2-under, but the pair would rally to card three birdies over the final three holes to also lead the field during Tuesday’s round at 5-under par 67.

The 56th MGA Amateur Four-Ball Championship concludes Wednesday with final-round tee times beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Eagle Creek Golf Club.