By Nick Hunter
MAPLE GROVE, Minn. – An early eagle propelled professional Ross Miller to a round of 5-under 67 Monday at Rush Creek Golf Club to sit atop a crowded leaderboard following the first round of the 107th Minnesota State Open presented by Yamaha Golf and Utility.
When the championship resumes early Tuesday, a total of six players will begin their second round one shot back of Miller in a share of second place.
“A good start with an eagle on two, and then hit it really solid from there on out,” Miller said following his round Monday. “Nothing really exciting—didn’t make a lot of putts, but I controlled my distances well. I had a lot of opportunities and hit some wedges close.
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s second round, Miller hopes to use a similar approach from his opening round Monday.
“Hit fairways and don’t get greedy at certain pins,” he said. “The greens will probably keep getting firmer.”
Following his birdie at the second, Miller converted his birdie chance at the fifth, and would turn in 3-under for the day.
Carrying momentum to his inward nine, Miller strung together three consecutive birdies to reach 6-under, but would give back a stroke with his only bogey of the day at the 14th, finishing ahead of the field at 5-under 67.
Winner of back-to-back Minnesota PGA Foundation Pro-Ams (formerly the Tapemark Pro-Am) in 2018 and 2019, and a win at the Minnesota Golf Champions in 2018, Miller is looking for his first win since a Minnesota PGA section event in 2022.
Following Monday’s first day of competition, Miller sits one shot ahead of a total of six players, including 2013 champion Jon DuToit and 2021 Minnesota Golf Association Players’ Championship winner Max Tylke.
Carding two birdies and a bogey during his opening nine Monday, Tylke found his footing down the stretch by converting three birdie chances to post a 4-under 68 to sit in a share of second with professionals Tyler Leach, Tristan Nelko and Chris Gilman, as well as amateurs Jacob Skarperud and DuToit.
“I was putting really well, and the driver was good off the tee,” Tylke said Monday. “Honestly, I had a couple of really good chips that I got away with when I was in trouble.
“Hopefully, a lot of the same [tomorrow], making sure you’re hitting fairways so you can score. Once you get off the fairway, a lot of bad things can happen.”
The second round of the 107th Minnesota State Open gets underway at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at Rush Creek Golf Club.
THE 107TH MINNESOTA STATE OPEN
RUSH CREEK GOLF CLUB
MAPLE GROVE, MINN.
7,290 YARDS, PAR 72
MONDAY’S FIRST ROUND RESULTS
1. Ross Miller (p), Dellwood CC, 33-34—67
T2. Tyler Leach (p), Kilkarney Hills GC, 33-35—68
T2. Jacob Skarperud, Fargo CC, 31-37—68
T2. Tristan Nelko (p), Windsong Farm, 36-32—68
T2. Chris Gillman (p), unattached, 32-36—68
T2. Max Tylke, Legends Club, 33-35—68
T2. Jon DuToit, Chaska Town Course, 33-35—68
T8. Rylin Petry, Cragun’s Legacy Courses, 35-34—69
T8. Brock Winter, Indian Hills GC, 33-36—69
T8. Peyton Coahran, MN Golf Community, 34-35—69
T8. Brady Madsen, Eagle Creek GC, 36-33—69
T8. Owen Rexing, Emerald Greens GC, 34-35—69
For complete tournament results go to: https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/