By Nick Hunter

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Carding four birdies over his final 10 holes Monday, professional Kyle Berg posted a round of 5-under 66 at Bemidji Town and Country Club to take the 18-hole lead at the 95th Minnesota PGA Professional Championship.

When the championship resumes Wednesday, Berg will take a two-stroke advantage over two-time winners Bill Israelson and Brent Snyder into the final round.

“Lots of fairways and greens—not many drivers because the course is a little shorter, but a lot of 3-irons to make sure I had looks into greens,” Berg said following his opening round Monday. “That was key today, being able to aggressively play at the pins when needed and staying below the hole.

“The greens were firm and fast and also windy today, too, so making sure you’re in the fairway and hitting greens to give yourself looks when possible.”

Opening his round with back-to-back birdies at the first and the second holes Monday, Berg would take a step back with bogey at the fifth, but responded with three consecutive birdies beginning at the par-5 ninth to reach 4-under for his round.

A birdie at the last put the 23-year-old Berg in position for his first section championship, shooting 5-under 66 to pace the field with one round to play.

“Again, lots of 3-irons off the tee, having a positive attitude and enjoying the moment,” Berg said looking forward to the final round Tuesday. “First time playing here during the practice round yesterday, so got a good feel for the course and how the greens were rolling. Go out tomorrow and see if I can improve on today’s round.”

In four events this season, Berg has tallied three top-25 finishes, his best coming earlier this month at an assistant’s event at The Jewel Golf Club where he placed third.

Israelson, winner of back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993, played his opening nine holes in even par Monday before stringing together three consecutive birdies beginning at his 10th hole to quickly move to 3-under on the day.

Following a birdie at his 15 hole, Israelson then carded double-bogey to fall to 2-under before a birdie on his final hole moved him into a share of second with Snyder at 3-under 68.

Looking for his first win at the championship since 2017, Snyder tallied a pair of birdies over his first 12 holes before moving to 3-under with a birdie at his 13th.

He’d take advantage of a birdie opportunity at his 16th to reach 4-under, but surrendered a bogey at the last to earn a share of second with Israelson at 68, two back of Berg.

Snyder notched his first victory at the championship in 2013 at Cragun’s Legacy Courses before adding a second four years later at The Pines at Grand View Lodge.

Jesse Nelson and Grant Shafranski each fired rounds of 2-under 69 Monday to finish the opening round in a share of fourth, three shots off the lead.

The final round of the 95th Minnesota PGA Professional Championship is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday at Bemidji Town and Country Club.

Leaderboard: https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpga25/event/mnpga2511/contest/17/leaderboard.htm