By Nick Hunter
MAPLE GROVE, Minn. – Paired together for the first 36 holes of the 107th Minnesota State Open presented by Yamaha Golf and Utility this week at Rush Creek Golf Club, professional Tyler Leach and North Dakota State University golfer Jacob Skarperud have each carded back-to-back rounds of 4-under 68 to lead the field.
Posting nearly identical scorecards through the first two rounds, Leach and Skarperud will be paired together once again Wednesday, carrying a one-stroke lead over Max Tylke to the final 18 holes of play.
“It’s been a little bit of a grind, but I’ve been able to putt pretty well the last couple of days, and that’s what’s kept me in it,” Leach said following his round Tuesday. “I honestly haven’t hit my driver very well, which is one of my strengths. Hit some good iron shots, but relied mostly on the putter to get me where I’m at.
“I’ve got to keep the gas pedal down because there are a lot of birdies out there, and I need to play the par-5s better tomorrow—I was 1-under today and 2-under yesterday.”
The 24-year-old Leach, who played collegiately at Marquette University, opened the championship with a clean scorecard during his opening round Monday.
Playing his opening nine in even par Tuesday, Leach heated up over his final nine by rolling in four birdie chances to post a 68 for the second consecutive round.
Following a weather delay of more than an hour and a half Tuesday, Leach birdied his eighth hole to reach 4-under for the championship.
He rolled in a 25-footer for birdie at the fourth, and followed it by sinking his birdie look from eight feet at the fifth to put him at 6-under.
A pair of birdies from inside of 10 feet over his final two holes put Leach into a share of the lead at 8-under 136.
“Coming in, you always have an idea of how you’re playing and how you expect to finish—I’ve been shooting good scores, so I knew that I could contend,” the Spring Valley, Wis., native said Tuesday. “I played in the final group in 2019 [at Rush Creek] and didn’t have a good day, but I can definitely learn from that going into tomorrow—having a little experience might help me a little bit.”
A soon-to-be junior for the Bison, Skarperud tallied five birdies against one bogey during his opening round Monday before stringing together four birdies to close out his back nine Tuesday to earn a share of the lead with Leach at 8-under 136.
“I hit the ball again pretty well,” the Fargo, N.D., native said Tuesday. “I struggled with a couple of lag putts, but other than that, I putted pretty well.
“I started on the front nine yesterday and was 5-under—I knew I had a few birdies out there to get back, so I was attacking some pins and making putts.”
Skarperud rolled in a birdie at the par-5 18th to turn in even par for the round Tuesday before birdies at the second and fifth put him at 6-under for the tournament.
Following a tap-in birdie at the eighth, Skarperud rolled in a 10-footer for birdie at the ninth to post a second straight round of 68.
Plagued by a pair of late bogeys Monday, Tylke will begin his final round Wednesday one shot back of the lead, looking for his first win since the Worthington Labor Day Classic last fall.
Tylke carded four birdies during his opening nine Tuesday before being slowed by bogeys at the 13th and 15th. He answered with a birdie at the par-4 17th to pull within striking distance ahead of Wednesday’s final round.
Owner of 10 state titles, the 30-year-old Tylke has already collected three top-4 finishes during the 2024 season.
Former University of Minnesota golfer and 2013 Minnesota State Open champion Jon DuToit followed his opening-round 68 Monday with a 2-under 70 during the second round Tuesday to sit in a share of fourth place with professional Trey Fessler, who finished runner-up at last season’s championship at Oak Ridge Country Club.
Professional Connor Schubring will also begin the final round Wednesday in a share of fourth place with DuToit and Fessler following his bogey-free round of 4-under 68 on Tuesday.
The final round of the 107th Minnesota State Open is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Wednesday at Rush Creek Golf Club.
THE 107TH MINNESOTA STATE OPEN
RUSH CREEK GOLF CLUB
MAPLE GROVE, MINN.
7,290 YARDS, PAR 72
TUESDAY’S SECOND ROUND RESULTS
T1. Tyler Leach (p), Kilkarney Hills GC, 68-68—136
T1. Jacob Skarperud, Fargo CC, 68-68—136
3. Max Tylke, Legends Club, 68-69—137
T4. Jon DuToit, Chaska TC, 68-70—138
T4. Trey Fessler (p), Albion Ridges GC, 72-66—138
T4. Connor Schubring (p), Bent Creek GC, 70-68—138
T7. Thomas Campbell (p), Swing Lab Performance Golf, 71-68—139
T7. Ross Miller (p), Dellwood CC ,67-72—139
T7. Rylin Petry, Deacon’s Lodge, 69-70—139
T10. Peyton Coahran, Minnesota Golf Community, 69-71—140
T10. Jason Pendleton, Olympic Hills GC, 73-67—140
T10. Caleb VanArragon (p), Bunker Hills GC, 70-70—140
T10. Andrew Israelson (p), Minneapolis GC, 70-70—140
For complete tournament results go to: https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/