Greve Picks Up Where He Left Off at Minnesota State Open, Shoots 66 to Lead After Round One

July 22, 2017 | 2 min.


By Nick Hunter
nick@mngolf.org


  STILLWATER, Minn. – Looking to become the first player in 22 years to win back-to-back Minnesota State Open titles, Ben Greve took a step in the right direction Friday by carding a 6-under par 66 at StoneRidge Golf Club to take the early lead after the opening round of play.

In a rain-shortened event a year ago, Greve fired a final-round 64 to earn a two-shot victory for his first tournament win in over 10 years. On Friday, Greve was helped by five birdies over his last eight holes to take a one-shot lead over Tommy Vining ahead of Saturday’s second round.

“I hit the ball well and putted well today,” Greve said after his round of 66 Friday. “I missed one fairway and hit 15 greens—nothing flashy, but solid.

“My goal is to have a chance on the back nine Sunday, so it’s a good start to that.”

Beginning his round on the ninth hole Friday, Greve rolled in birdies at the 11th and 13th before taking a bogey at the 16th and would turn at 1-under for the championship.

Quickly heating up on his back nine, Greve stuck his approach inside of eight feet at the first and converted birdie to get to 2-under before rolling in a birdie chance from the fringe at the second.

Sinking a four-footer for birdie at the third, Greve quickly climbed the leaderboard to 4-under and would roll in his 12-foot birdie at the sixth and capped off his day by bombing a 30-footer at the par-3 seventh and would finish the day at 66.

Also beginning the first round on the ninth tee Friday, Vining started quickly with three birdies over his first five holes to turn at 3-under.

The University of South Dakota Golfer converted his birdie opportunity at the 18th and added one last birdie at the fourth to shoot a bogey-free opening round of 67.

Professionals Beau Hanson and Casey Vangsness each fired rounds of 4-under par 68 to finish the first round tied for third, two shots back of Greve with 36 holes to play.

The 100th Minnesota State Open continues Saturday with second-round tee times beginning at 7:45 a.m. at StoneRidge Golf Club.



100TH MINNESOTA STATE OPEN
STONERIDGE GOLF CLUB
STILLWATER, MINN.
7,013 YARDS, PAR 72


FRIDAY’S RESULTS

1. Benjamin Greve (a), Minneapolis GC, 31-35—66
2. Tommy Vining (a), Prairie Green GC, 35-32—67
T3. Beau Hanson, Detroit CC, 34-34—68
T3. Casey Vangsness, Minnewaska GC, 33-35—68
T5. Brian Hills, 2nd Swing, 35-34—69
T5. Travis Ross, Minakwa GC, 33-36—69
T5. Jon DuToit, Chaska TC, 36-33—69
T5. Jack Holmgren (a), Baker Nat’l GC, 35-34—69
T9. Jacob Otta (a), CC of Sioux Falls, 36-34—70
T9. Tyler Koivisto (a), Litchfield GC, 38-32—70
T9. Andrew Israelson (a), Vintage GC, 35-35—70
T9. Michael Christensen (a), Bunker Hills GC, 34-36—70
T9. Cody Stovall (a), StoneRidge GC, 38-32—70
T9. Jacques Wilson (a), Chaska TC, 36-34—70
T9. Sammy Schmitz (a), StoneRidge GC, 36-34—70


For complete tournament results go to: https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpga17/event/mnpga1742/contest/5/leaderboard.htm
 

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