By Nick Hunter

EDINA, Minn. – A bogey-free 6-under 66 Friday at Edina Country Club lifted professional Jake Wherley into the opening-round lead at the 50th Minnesota Golf Champions presented by Yamaha Golf and Utility.

Searching for his second win of the season, Wherley will take a two-stroke advantage to Saturday’s final round over fellow professionals Wes Buntenbach and Eddie Wynne, as well as former University of Minnesota golfer Brock Winter, each posting a 4-under 68 during Friday’s opening round.

“Obviously played pretty well—bogey-free, which doesn’t happen for me every day, so I’ll take it,” Wherley said following his opening round Friday. “Everything was working pretty well. I hit some good putts and snuck a few in. I was also able to hit a few close.

“When a guy plays once a week, it’s hard to have expectations. Greens are firm and quick, so same plan tomorrow and hopefully do it again.”

Wherley started the scoring Friday by converting his birdie chance at the par-3 fourth before sinking back-to-back birdie looks at the eighth and ninth holes to turn in 3-under for the round.

Dropping a 15-footer for birdie at the par-5 tenth gave Wherley a third consecutive birdie, moving him to 4-under for the day.

Wherley carded his fifth birdie of the round with a two-putt from the front edge of the 12th green, and he would finish the opening round by rolling in one final birdie putt from 15 feet at the 16th to post a 6-under 66 to take a two-stroke advantage to Saturday’s final round.

Entering the 2024 season, Wherley has won a section event in each of the past four seasons before claiming the Minnewaska Fairways Fore All Pro-Am at Minnewaska Golf Club last month.

The 31-year-old Wherley has made 12 cuts in 14 events this season, while claiming three top 10’s and 11 top-25 finishes to earn more than $7,200 in winnings for the year.

Buntenbach carded five birdies during his final nine holes Friday to move into a share of second with Wynne and Winter.

A string of four consecutive birdies midway through his opening round helped Wynne quickly climb the leaderboard, while Winter carded four birdies against two bogeys during his opening round to finish two shots back of the lead.

Caleb VanArragon, winner of this season’s Twin Cities Open, will begin the final round three shots off the lead after carding a 3-under 69 Saturday.

The final round of the 50th Minnesota Golf Champions is slated to begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Edina Country Club.

THE 50TH MINNESOTA GOLF CHAMPIONS
EDINA COUNTRY CLUB
EDINA, MINN.
6,709 YARDS, PAR 72

FRIDAY’S FIRST ROUND RESULTS
1. Jake Wherley (p), Perham Lakeside GC, 32-34—66
T2. Wes Buntenbach (p), Medina G&CC, 36-32—68
T2. Eddie Wynne (p), University GC, 33-35—68
T2. Brock Winter, Indian Hills GC, 33-35—68
5. Caleb VanArragon (p), Bunker Hills GC, 34-35—69
T6. Trent Peterson, Bunker Hills GC, 34-36—70
T6. Jeff Sorenson (p), The Minikahda Club, 36-34—70
T6. Ben Greve, Olympic Hills GC, 33-37—70
T6. Thomas Campbell (p), Swing Lab Performance, 33-37—70
T6. Ernie Rose (p), Vintage at Staples, 31-39—70

For complete tournament results go to:   https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpga24/event/mnpga2433/contest/5/leaderboard.htm