Johnson Earns Third MPGA Senior Public Links Title with Wire-to-Wire Win at Southern Hills

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  FARMINGTON, Minn. – Following his opening round of 68 with a round of 1-over par 72 Sunday, J.T. Johnson successfully defended his title at Southern Hills Golf Club, earning a three-stroke victory to claim his third Minnesota Public Golf Association Senior Public Links Championship.
 
After his first win in 2014 at Pokegama Golf Club, Johnson defeated Mark Frie on the first playoff hole a season ago at Monticello Country Club. With his win Sunday, Johnson becomes the first player to repeat since Jon Empanger went back-to-back in 2011 and 2012.
 
Johnson also becomes just the fourth player since tournament’s inception in 1938 to claim three or more victories. He joins Ray Borseth with three victories at the event, while Rod Magnuson won four championships in a span of 16 years.
 
Bob Gammon holds the record for most wins with five, winning back-to-back in 1943 and 1944, again in 1946 and 1947 and claimed his final victory in 1950.
 
Taking a one-stroke lead over 2016 champion Scott Hogan into Sunday’s final round, Johnson started slow with four bogeys over his first eight holes before rolling in his birdie look at the ninth to turn at even par for the championship.
 
Building on his finish from the front nine Sunday, Johnson found his rhythm to get back into red figures with a birdie at the par-5 12^th hole and would birdie his final hole to notch a three-shot victory, shooting 2-under par 140.
 
Claiming his first career victory in 2016 at Phalen Park Golf Course, Hogan posted a 2-under par 69 to begin the championship Saturday, but was plagued by an early double-bogey Sunday, dropping him back to even par for the tournament. He would get back to 1-under following his birdie at the par-3 eighth, but would fall short of Johnson after a pair of late bogeys.
 
John Anderson, who claimed the 2009 championship at Rum River Hills Golf Club, followed his opening round of 72 with a 2-over par 73 Sunday to finish alone in third place at 145.
 
 
 
THE 67^TH MPGA SENIOR PUBLIC LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP
SOUTHERN HILLS GOLF CLUB
FARMINGTON, MINN.
6,343 YARDS, PAR 71
 
 
FINAL RESULTS
1. J.T. Johnson, Valleywood GC, 68-72—140
2. Scott Hogan, Cannon GC, 69-74—143
3. John Anderson, Bunker Hills GC, 72-73—145
4. Bob Neuberger, Rush Creek GC, 75-73—148
5. Bill Tadewald, Bunker Hills GC, 74-75—149
T6. Ken Gerzsenyi, Eastwood GC, 72-78—150
T6. Bob Snyder, Cannon GC, 76-74—150
T8. Greg Murphy, Keller GC, 74-77—151
T8. James Price, Legends Club, 74-77—151
T8. Randy Newman, Valleywood GC, 79-72—151
 
 
For complete tournament results go to:  www.golfgenius.com/pages/4007385298311862603