By Nick Hunter
HOPKINS, Minn. – Picking up where she left off a year ago, defending champion Isabella McCauley fired an opening-round 1-under 70 Monday at Oak Ridge Country Club to put herself on top of the leaderboard to begin the 26th Minnesota Women’s State Open.
McCauley earned a three-stroke victory last season at Royal Golf Club and will begin Tuesday’s final round with a slim one-shot advantage over younger sister Reese McCauley, as well as Northern Colorado University senior Olivia Salonek.
“First tournament I’ve played in a while, but it’s fun to be back in competitive golf,” the elder McCauley said Monday. “Struck the ball and chipped pretty well today, especially when the wind picked up on the back nine. When I missed some greens, my chipping helped a lot.
“I have the same game plan every day—go out and try to put the best round together, take it one hole at a time and one shot at a time. A lot of good players here, so I’m excited for tomorrow.”
Rolling in one birdie opportunity over her first 10 holes Monday, Isabella McCauley converted a second birdie chance from inside of 18 feet at the par-3 11th to reach 2-under for the round but took a step back with a bogey at the 12th.
She’d counter by capitalizing on her third birdie of the day at the 13th, sticking her approach to four feet, but it was nullified with a bogey at the 15th.
Following a tap-in par at the 17th after leaving her approach short of the green, Isabella McCauley two-putted from 40 feet at the last to take the early lead with her opening-round 70.
Her win last season marked the eighth of her career, and first win since becoming the first female winner of the Minnesota Golf Champions in 2021.
Isabella McCauley will look to defend her title Tuesday, needed to fend off Salonek, who already has three top-3 finishes this season, as well as younger sister, Reese, who finished runner-up last season after winning the MGA Women’s Amateur Match Play Championship.
Despite an early double-bogey Monday, Salonek fought her way back to even par for her opening round with a birdie at the 11th. She’d move into red figures momentarily with a birdie at the 12th, but a bogey at the 13th put her in the clubhouse at even par 71, one back of the lead.
“I’m happy with how I played today—it was quite windy and I think I handled it very well,” Salonek said after her round. “I had a few missed putts that led to a few of my bogeys, but otherwise I played solid all day.
“I really love where my game is at and I think tomorrow will come down to making putts. I’ve been practicing that the most leading up to this event, so I hope I can see some more fall tomorrow. I’m happy with the position I put myself in—I’ve been right in the mix all summer so that’s right where I put myself again. I’ll be playing with some great players so that is always fun, too.”
Carding three birdies during her final nine holes Monday, including her final putt from 15 feet at the 18th, helped Reese McCauley remain one shot off the lead heading into Tuesday’s final round.
“A little up-and-down with a handful of birdies and a handful of bogeys today but it was really fun,” the University of Minnesota junior said. “Hit it well off the tee, missed some putts in the beginning—I think short birdie-putt misses on the first four holes.
“Evened out a little bit because I was able to make a couple of putts at the end. Try to keep it similar tomorrow. I’m feeling pretty confident with my longer shots, so hopefully I can make a few more putts.”
James Madison University’s Grace Petzold and University of St. Thomas sophomore Genevieve Birkeland each posted a 1-over 72 Monday to open the championship to face a two-stroke deficit with one round to play.
The final round of the 26th Minnesota Women’s State Open begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday at Oak Ridge Country Club.
THE 26TH MINNESOTA WOMEN’S STATE OPEN
OAK RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB
HOPKINS, MINN.
6,295 YARDS, PAR 71
MONDAY’S FIRST ROUND RESULTS
- Isabella McCauley (a), Troy Burne GC, 35-35—70
T2. Olivia Salonek (a), Keller GC, 37-34—71
T2. Reese McCauley (a), Southview CC, 37-34—71
T4. Genevieve Birkeland (a), Madden’s on Gull Lake, 36-36—72
T4. Grace Petzold (a), Wayzata CC, 36-36—72
T6. Rose Solberg (a), Spring Hill GC, 35-38—73
T6. Emree Cameron (a), MN Golf Community, 37-36—73
T6. Betsy Kelly (a), TPC Twin Cities, 38-35—73
T9. Aliya Kleven (a), MN YOC, 34-40—74
T9. Carmen Jirele (a), MN YOC, 36-38—74
T9. Lauren Chambs (a), Rush Creek GC, 37-37—74
T9. Isabelle Lynch, Interlachen CC, 37-37—74
T9. Aliisa Helminen (a), North Shore GC, 37-37—74
For complete results go to Minnesota Women’s State Open – Championship Leaderboard | Minnesota PGA