EDINA, Minn. – Professional and University of St. Thomas assistant coach Alex Kline made a final-round surge with seven birdies over his final 11 holes Monday at Edina Country Club to claim a two-stroke victory at the 2023 Twin Cities Open presented by Yamaha Golf and Utility.

Kline posted an opening-round 69 Sunday and followed it with a tournament-low 5-under 67 to defeat fellow professional Eddie Wynne and amateurs Bryce Hanstad and Trent Peterson for his fourth Minnesota Section victory.

After recording his only bogey of the final round at the par-3 fifth, Kline tallied back-to-back birdies at the eighth and ninth to turn in 4-under for the championship.

He was helped once again by back-to-back birdies at the 12th and 13th holes, and reached 7-under for the tournament by converting his birdie look at the 15th.

A final birdie at the last gave Kline his first victory since the Alan Hanson Scholarship Pro-Am last August.

Wynne played his opening nine in even par, but would give back a stroke with a bogey to begin his inward nine.

A string of four consecutive birdies catapulted the 45-year-old up the leaderboard to 5-under and he dropped one final birdie chance at the par-4 18th to earn a share of second at 6-under 138.

A former Minnesota Golf Association Amateur champion and defending MGA Mid-Players’ champion, Hanstad followed his opening-round 70 with a 4-under 68 Monday, helped by two birdies and an eagle during his final nine holes.

Peterson, last year’s MGA Mid-Amateur and Minnesota Public Golf Association Mid Public Links champion, overcame two bogeys during his opening nine Monday by carding four birdies over his last 10 holes to earn a share of second at 6-under 138.

NOTABLES

Wynne, who posted rounds of 70-68, tallied his fifth runner-up finish since 2021, while inaugural champion, Jack Hiemenz (Victory Links Golf Course), followed his opening-round 69 with a 1-under par 71 Monday to place tied for sixth.

Grant Shafranski (North Oaks Golf Club) moved up 29 places on the leaderboard during Monday’s final round with his tournament-low 67 to finish tied for 11th at 3-under 141.

Dean Goodwin (Valleywood Golf Course) fired a 2-under par 70 Monday to finish 13th at 142, one shot better than Bennett Smed (The Classic at Madden’s), Christopher Meyer (Southview Country Club) and Don Berry (Edinburgh USA).

THE 3RD TWIN CITIES OPEN

EDINA COUNTRY CLUB

EDINA, MINN.

6,810 YARDS, PAR 72

MONDAY’S FINAL ROUND RESULTS

1. Alex Kline (p), Kilkarney Hills GC, 69-67—136

T2. Eddie Wynne (p), University GC, 70-68—138

T2. Bryce Hanstad, Olympic Hills GC, 70-68—138

T2. Trent Peterson, Fountain Hills GC, 68-70—138

5. Ryan Stendahl, Rush Creek GC, 68-71—139

T6. Jack Hiemenz (p), Victory Links GC, 69-71—140

T6. Michael Schmitz (p), 2nd Swing, 68-72—140

T6. Cooper Markham, Baker Nat’l GC, 68-72—140

T6. Ross Miller (p), LeSueur CC, 69-71—140

T6. Blake Onkka, The Wilds GC, 68-72—140

For complete tournament results to go: Twin Cities Open – Championship Leaderboard | Minnesota PGA (bluegolf.com)