Tylke Wins For a Second Time This Season, Claims MPGA Mid Public Links in Hastings

View full size image

 
By Nick Hunter
nick@mngolf.org
 
 
  HASTINGS, Minn. – Since his win at the 2016 Minnesota Public Golf Association Public Links Championship at Loggers Trail Golf Club, Max Tylke has collected at least one state victory each season since. 

The trend continued last month when Tylke and partner Corey Schommer claimed the MPGA Four-Ball Championship, but Tylke added a second win on the young season Sunday, a two-stroke victory over Topher Baron and Eric Rislove to earn his first win at the MPGA Public Links Mid-Amateur Championship.
 
Tylke said his demeanor on the course in recent years has had a big influence on his play, which has led to four victories and 11 top-10 finishes during that period.
 
“Truthfully, it has to be mental. I’m a little calmer on the golf course,” he said. “The game has been getting better and I’m okay with playing safer, it’s eliminating a lot of the bad holes and not as much damage. I’ve been more conservative when I get out of play—take your medicine, move on and you’ll get another chance later on.
 
“The big thing about this win is it’s a really good event before everything coming up. You can build off this, whether you play good or average and at least you can learn what you need to prepare for. Hopefully there’s a lot of the same going forward. It’s only going to get harder because every tournament is that much more competitive.”  
 
Tylke posted a 3-under 69 to begin the championship Saturday, trailing opening-round leader Baron by one stroke entering Sunday’s final 18 holes.
 
“I drove the ball really well—off the tee was good and it gave me a lot of chances,” Tylke said of his start to the championship Saturday. “Today I wanted to keep the tee ball going. I knew I’d have my chances on the par-5s.”
 
Sinking a pair of birdies on both of the par-5s on the front side, Tylke took the outright lead at 4-under for the championship with his birdie at the ninth, before Baron drew even momentarily at the 13^th, sinking a long birdie chance while Tylke took bogey.
 
Hitting a wedge inside of 12 feet at the 14^th, led to his fourth birdie of the round and gave Tylke a slim, one-stroke lead before a Baron bogey at the 16^th increased the lead for Tylke to two.
 
Carding par on each of the final four holes would give Tylke his second win of the year and first MPGA Public Links Mid-Amateur title at 5-under par 140.
 
“My irons have been good and my short game has been good, but I just need to get a couple things to roll in a little more often,” Tylke said following his win Sunday. “I gave myself so many chances, so I can’t complain.”
 
Tylke’s first state victory came at a Minnesota PGA Junior event back in 2011 before his victory at the Public Links Championship in 2016. He added a win at the Minnesota Golf Association Mixed Amateur Team Championship with partner Alexandra Stewart at Chaska Town Course in 2017 and won his second Public Links Championship last season at Riverwood National Golf Course.
 
He also qualified for the U.S. Amateur at the storied Riviera Country Club in 2017 and advanced from the first stage of qualifying for the U.S. Open last season, shooting a 4-under 68 at the Wilds Golf Club in Prior Lake.
 
Justin Burleson, a two-time winner and the defending champion, carded a final round 70 Sunday to finish alone in fourth place one stroke back of Baron and Rislove at 2-under 143.
 
 
 
THE 15^TH MPGA PUBLIC LINKS MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
EMERALD GREENS GOLF CLUB
HASTINGS, MINN.
6,585 YARDS, PAR 72
 
 
SUNDAY’S FINAL RESULTS
1. Max Tylke, Links at Northfork, 69-71—140
T2. Eric Rislove, Ponds at Battle Creek, 72-70—142   
T2. Topher Baron, Bunker Hills GC, 68-74—142
4. Justin Burleson, Valleywood GC, 73-70—143
T5. Kane Bauer, Valleywood GC, 75-69—144
T5. Trent Peterson, Valleywood GC, 75-69—144
T5. Tommy Rymer, Highland Nat’l GC, 71-73—144
T8. Tim McKenney, Baker Nat’l GC, 73-72—145
T8. Ben Freeman, Chaska TC, 72-73—145
T10. Ryan Conn, Chaska TC, 74-73—147
T10. J.T. Johnson, New Richmond GC, 70-77—147
 
 
For complete tournament results go to:  www.golfgenius.com/pages/4940113587550050417