Baxley and Buan Lead 101st MPGA Public Links

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  LAKE ELMO, Minn. – An eagle on his final hole Saturday at Royal Golf Club lifted Jack Buan into a share of the lead to begin the 101st Minnesota Public Golf Association Public Links Championship.

Buan sits tied with 2006 Twin Cities champion Ralph Baxley after both fired a 5-under 67 during their opening round.

Starting fast with back-to-back birdies at the first and second, Buan gave back a stroke with a bogey at the fourth to turn in 1-under.

Back-to-back birdies to begin his back nine Saturday put Buan at 3-under for the championship, but he would take a step back with bogey at the 13th.

Taking advantage of a birdie opportunity at the par-3 16th sent Buan back to 3-under for the day, and he would finish his round with an eagle at the last to share the 18-hole lead with Baxley at 5-under 67.

Baxley’s opening nine included a pair of birdies and one eagle to turn in 4-under, carrying momentum to his final nine holes by converting his birdie look at the par-4 11th.

His only bogey of the round came at the 13th, but Baxley bounced back late with a birdie on the final hole to finish tied atop the leaderboard with an opening-round 67.

Joel B. Johnson, a two-time MPGA Mid Public Links champion, fired a bogey-free 4-under 68 Saturday to finish the opening round of play tied for third with University of St. Thomas golfer Matt Armstrong.

The final round of the 101st MPGA Public Links Championship is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. at Royal Golf Club.



THE 101ST MPGA PUBLIC LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP
THE ROYAL GOLF CLUB
LAKE ELMO, MINN.
6,832 YARDS, PAR 72


SATURDAY’S FIRST ROUND RESULTS
T1. Ralph Baxley, Bunker Hills GC, 32-35—67
T1. Jack Buan, Baker Nat’l GC, 35-32—67
T3. Matt Armstrong, Braemar GC, 33-35—68
T3. Joel B. Johnson, Links at Northfork, 35-33—68
T5. Connor Herman, Fox Hollow GC, 36-33—69
T5. Ryan Tschann, Legends Club, 34-35—69
T5. Ryan Conn, Chaska TC, 36-33—69
T8. Stellan Orvick, Hiawatha GC, 33-37—70
T8. Matt Norgaard, Willow Creek GC, 34-36—70
T8. Max Tylke, Legends Club, 36-34—70
T8. Eric Rislove, Prestwick GC, 35-35—70


For complete tournament results go to: www.golfgenius.com/pages/9746707172590377262