Johnson Tied with Finley, Looking for Fifth MPGA Senior Public Links Title

View full size image

  OAKDALE, Minn. – A season ago, J.T. Johnson sank his birdie putt on the 36th hole at Eastwood Golf Club to win his fourth Minnesota Public Golf Association Senior Public Links Championship.

On Saturday, Johnson sank a birdie on the final hole of his opening round at Oak Marsh Golf Course to finish in a share of the lead with Stuart Finley, moving a step closer to winning his fifth title at the championship.

Johnson played his opening nine in even par Saturday before getting into red figures with his first birdie of the day at the 10th.

He fell back to even for the round following a bogey at the 13th, but would finish strong by converting his birdie look at the 18th to earn a share of the 18-hole lead.

Johnson sits one win behind Bob Gammon for the most wins at the event. Gammon won titles in 1943-44, 1946-47, with his final victory coming at the 1950 championship.

Finley started fast Saturday, carding birdie at the opening hole, but was tripped up by a bogey at the fourth.

He would turn in 1-under following his second birdie of the round at the par-3 eighth. He moved to 2-under by converting his birdie opportunity at the 11th, but gave back a stroke at the 13th.

He would again reach 2-under with a birdie at the par-3 15th, but finished the day at 1-under following a bogey at the last to shoot 69.

John Anderson, champion in 2009, fired an opening-round 70 Saturday and will begin Sunday’s final round in a tie for second place with Paul Schubring, one shot off the lead.

The final round of the 71st MPGA Senior Public Links Championship is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. at Oak Marsh Golf Course.



THE 71ST MPGA SENIOR PUBLIC LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP
OAK MARSH GOLF COURSE
OAKDALE, MINN.
6,179 YARDS, PAR 70


SATURDAY’S FIRST ROUND RESULTS
T1. Stuart Finley, Bunker Hills GC, 34-35—69
T1. J.T. Johnson, New Richmond GC, 35-34—69
T3. John Anderson, Bunker Hills GC, 36-34—70
T3. Paul Schubring, Dwan GC, 33-37—70
T5. Tony Brown, Rush Creek GC, 37-34—71
T5. Richard Frieburg, Monticello CC, 36-35—71
T5. John Mugford, Chaska TC, 36-35—71
T5. Randy Jacobus, Baker Nat’l GC, 35-36—71
T5. Jeff Teal, Island View GC, 37-34—71
T5. Mark Sperling, Willinger’s GC, 38-33—71


For complete tournament results go to: www.golfgenius.com/pages/8633039574366443622