Reigstad Birdies the Last to Claim Minnesota PGA Professional Championship

Reigstad entered Tuesday’s final round one shot off the lead and carded a final-round 4-under 68 to claim his second victory in as many seasons.“I made it to one national event and I’ve been very close in many. It was definitely on my mind to make it again,” Reigstad said following his victory Tuesday. “To win is super special and icing on the cake.

“I’ve been hitting it well most of the summer and I’ve been waiting for it to click. Need some time to think about it, but I’m extremely happy and thankful that we were able to get that done today.”

Reigstad will now advance to the 2023 PGA Professional Championship next April at Twin Warrior Golf Club at Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa and Santa Ana Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M.

Also advancing to the national championship next spring are McDonald, Andy Smith, Johnny Schwaller, Corey Johnson, Chris Borgen, George Smith and Thomas Campbell.

Reigstad started fast Tuesday with an eagle at the first to move to 5-under for the championship before giving back a stroke with a bogey at the fourth.

He bounced back by converting his birdie putt at the sixth, but again lost a stroke with a bogey at the ninth to turn in 4-under for the tournament.

Capitalizing on his birdie chances at the 10th and 13th holes, Reigstad moved to 6-under for the tournament before sticking his approach at the 18th in close for one final birdie to give him a one-stroke victory and biggest career win to date.

“I hit the ball really good yesterday and wanted to do that again to see where it would take me,” Reigstad said. “It was a little windy again, but I did the same things—birdied the par-5’s, played solidly and felt pretty clean.”

Along with his nine wins at section events, including three during the 2017 season, Reigstad has finished inside the top-10 more than 85 times since turning professional in 2007.

Reigstad last qualified for the national championship in 2016 at Bemidji Town and Country Club, finishing tied for seventh.

Continuing his strong 2022 season, McDonald entered the final round two shots back and would play his final nine holes in 4-under Tuesday to finish second at 6-under 138 and claim his seventh top-5 finish of the season, earning more than $15,500 in winnings.

Andy Smith, winner of the Twin Cities Open in May, followed his opening round 72 by carding a bogey-free 4-under 68 Tuesday to finish third at 141, while Schwaller bounced back from a late double-bogey by carding eagle on the final hole to finish fourth at 2-under 142.

THE 92ND MINNESOTA PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
MINNEWASKA GOLF CLUB
GLENWOOD, MINN.
6,563 YARDS, PAR 72

TUESDAY’S FINAL RESULTS
1. Jonathan Reigstad, Keller GC, 69-68—137
2. Scott McDonald, Minnewaska GC, 70-68—138
3. Andy Smith, Hazeltine Nat’l GC, 72-68—140
4. Johnny Schwaller, Island View GC, 72-70—142
T5. Corey Johnson, PXG Headquarters, 73-70—143
T5. Bill Israelson, Bemidji T&CC, 73-70—143
T5. Chris Borgen, Lost Spur GC, 72-71—143
T8. Brent Snyder, Troy Burne GC, 74-70—144
T8. George Smith, StoneRidge GC, 74-70—144
T8. Thomas Campbell, 2nd Swing, 72-72—144
T8. Don Berry, Edinburgh USA, 70-74—144