Piotrowski Edges Lehman to Win Second State Title at MPGA Senior Public Links

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  MINNEAPOLIS – Entering Sunday’s final round of the 86th Minnesota Public Golf Association Senior Public Links Championship facing a two-stroke deficit, Keith Piotrowski fired a 1-over 71 despite a double-bogey on the final hole to earn a one-stroke victory.

The 53-year-old Piotrowski tallied a 1-over 141 to edge Jim Lehman for the second state championship victory of his career.

Piotrowski played his first six holes in 2-over Sunday before taking advantage of the par-5 seventh hole. Rolling in his birdie opportunity at the ninth put Piotrowski at even par for the championship.

Converting his birdie chance at the par-3 17th for the second consecutive day, Piotrowski moved to 1-under for the tournament, increasing his lead to three shots. He would take a double-bogey at the par-4 18th to claim a one-shot victory over Lehman, posting a 1-over 141.

At the championship last season, Piotrowski carded rounds of 76-77 to finish in a tie for 17th place at Keller Golf Course.

Since 2004, Piotrowski has notched 14 top-10 finishes at state championships, including a win at the 2022 Twin Cities Senior Championship at Brackett's Crossing Country Club and a runner-up finish at the MPGA Combination Championship in 2008.

Lehman, a four-time MGA Senior Amateur champion, began the championship Saturday by firing a 1-under 69 to sit one shot back of the lead.

Troubles with three bogeys over his first eight holes during Sunday’s final round put Lehman at 2-over for the championship before he found his footing with his only birdie of the day at the par-4 ninth.

Following a bogey at the par-5 11th, Lehman capped off his final round with consecutive pars to shoot a 3-over 73 to come up one shot short of Piotrowski at 2-over 142.

Brad Johnson carded a 2-under 68 during the opening round Saturday to pace the field.

Johnson posted a 5-over 75 during Sunday’s final round to finish tied for third with Jason Christenson, John Spreiter and Tony Vincelli at 3-over 143.