By Nick Hunter

EDINA, Minn. – After carding five birdies during his opening nine Monday at Braemar Golf Course, Alex Gaugert tallied another six birdies during his final nine holes to post an 11-under 61, setting a new course record to begin the 94th Minnesota PGA Professional Championship.

The former University of Minnesota golfer will take a sizable five-stroke advantage over Derek Holmes and Grant Hanson to Tuesday’s final round.

“Obviously, 11 birdies—I holed some nice putts and I was seeing the lines really well,” Gaugert said following his round Monday. “It’s nice when a few drop early and you just get on a run.”

Beginning his round on the 10th tee Monday, Gaugert tallied back-to-back birdies at the first and second before converting his birdie chance at the par-3 13th.

Gaugert, currently a caddie for former Gopher teammate and the PGA Tour’s Erik van Rooyen, would turn in 5-under with a pair of birdies at the 16th and 18th holes, carrying momentum to his front nine by holing birdie chances at the first and second.

Back-to-back birdies at the fourth and fifth holes put Gaugert at 9-under for the round, and he’d finish the day as the new owner of the course record at 11-under 61 with birdies at the seventh and eighth holes.

Holmes, of Yamaha Golf Cars, took advantage of three birdie chances during his front nine Monday to turn in 3-under before tallying his fourth birdie of the round at the par-5 11th.

With birdies at the 14th and 16th, Holmes would post a bogey-free 66 to share second place with Hanson.

Hanson, from Geneva Golf Club, got help from an eagle and four birdies during his front nine Monday, turning in 5-under for the round before beginning his final nine with a birdie at the 11th.

A second bogey of the day put Hanson back to 5-under, but he’d bounce back with a birdie at the 16th to finish the day tied for second at 6-under 66.

Dominic Scopone, of Spring Hill Golf Club, and Christopher Sauer, from Cedar Creek Golf Course, will begin Tuesday’s final round in a share of fourth place, opening the championship with rounds of 5-under 67.

The 94th Minnesota PGA Professional Championship continues Tuesday when final-round tee times begin at 8 a.m. at Braemar Golf Course.

THE 94TH MINNESOTA PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
BRAEMAR GOLF CLUB
EDINA, MINN.
6,712 YARDS, PAR 72

MONDAY’S FIRST ROUND RESULTS
1. Alex Gaugert, Minnesota PGA, 30-31—61
T2. Derek Holmes, Yamaha Golf Cars, 33-33—66
T2. Grant Hanson, Geneva GC, 31-35—66
T4. Dominic Scopone, Spring Hill GC, 34-33—67
T4. Christopher Sauer, 33-34—67
T6. Don Berry, Edinburgh USA, 35-33—68
T6. Chris Baisch, Hazeltine Nat’l GC, 34-34—68
T6. Jeff Sorenson, The Minikahda Club, 35-33—68
11 players at 3-under 69

For complete tournament results go to:    https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpga24/event/mnpga2419/contest/13/leaderboard.htm