Fiedler and Polk Combine for a 63 to Start MPGA Four-Ball

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  MONTICELLO, Minn. – Carding five birdies over their final nine holes Saturday, helped the twosome of Mike Fiedler and Jesse Polk to a round of 8-under 63 to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of play at the 43^rd Minnesota Public Golf Association Four-Ball Championship at Monticello Country Club.
 
The pairing of Will Hickey and Andy Jacobson fired a 6-under 65 to begin the tournament Saturday, earning a share of second with the team of Joe O’Brien and Ben Strauman and remain within striking distance when the final round gets under way Sunday.
 
Fiedler, who teamed up with Johnny Larson to claim the 2017 Minnesota Golf Association Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Eagle Creek Golf Club, carded four birdies on his front nine Saturday, quickly moving him and Polk to 4-under for the championship before a bogey at the par-3 10^th.
 
The two would quickly recover, helped by Polk’s five birdies over the final eight holes to pace the field with a round of 8-under 63.
 
Polk, who won the 2018 championship with Sammy Schmitz at New Richmond Golf Club, also paired up with Schmitz to win the 2014 MGA Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Pebble Creek Golf Club.
 
Hickey and Jacobson each rolled in a birdie during their opening nine Saturday, turning in 2-under before Hickey converted his birdie chance at the 10^th. A steady Jacobson finished strong with a birdie at the 16^th before carding eagle on the final hole to push him and Hickey into a share of second with a round of 65.
 
Strauman and O’Brien each birdied the fourth and sixth holes before O’Brien rolled in three more during the inward nine, while Strauman added a final birdie at the last to help the twosome post a 6-under 65.
 
A total of eight teams will begin the final round tied for fourth, three shots off the lead.
 
The 46^th MPGA Four-Ball Championship concludes Sunday when the final round begins at 7:30 a.m. at Monticello Country Club.
 
 
 
THE 43^RD MPGA FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
MONTICELLO COUNTRY CLUB
MONTICELLO, MINN
6,453 YARDS, PAR 71
 
 
SATURDAY’S FIRST ROUND RESULTS
1. Fiedler/Polk, 31-32—63
T2. Hickey/Jacobson, 33-32—65
T2. O’Brien/Strauman, 33-32—65
T4. Anderson/Cornell, 32-34—66
T4. Gorans/Hannig, 32-34—66
T4. Gustafson/Rykal, 34-32—66
T4. McKesson/Randall, 32-34—66
T4. Burleson/Larson, 35-31—66
T4. Empanger/Teal, 32-34—66
T4. Ernst/Wrazidlo, 33-33—66
T4. Spreiter/Whittaker, 34-32—66
 
 
For complete tournament results go to: www.golfgenius.com/pages/6739774813922941435