By Nick Hunter
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. – Converting three birdie chances over his final six holes Friday at The Club at Golden Valley lifted professional Peyton Coahran into the first-round lead at the 52nd Minnesota Golf Champions presented by Yamaha Golf and Utility by shooting 5-under 68.
Coahran will take a one-stroke advantage over Nate Adams to Saturday’s final round, looking for his second top-5 finish of the season.
Opening the championship with three birdies across his first seven, Coahran (Little Crow Country Club) carded his first bogey of the round at the par-4 ninth. He’d bounce back with a birdie at the 10th but gave back a stroke with a second bogey at the 12th to drop back to 2-under for the round.
A strong finish with birdies at Nos. 13, 15 and 17 moved Coahran in sole possession of the lead with a 5-under 68, and one step closer to his first victory of the year.
Adams, a four-time winner in 2026, played his first 13 holes in 3-under Friday before taking his only bogey of the round at the par-3 14th.
The former North Dakota State University golfer finished the first round with a pair of birdies over his final three holes to move withing striking distance of Coahran’s lead with a 4-under 69, one back of the lead.
Notables
Scattering four birdies against one bogey Friday put former University of Minnesota golfer Jack Wetzel, of Braemar Golf Course, into a share of third place at 3-under 70 during his first event as a professional this week.
Andrew McCain, winner of the 2015 and 2018 Minnesota State Open, went bogey-free during his opening nine with four birdies to help him post a 3-under 70 Friday. He’ll begin the final round in a share of third, two back of the lead.
Carding an eagle and one birdies over his final nine holes put Trey Fessler, of Albany Golf Course, into a share of sixth place at 2-under 71 with Zach Sklebar (TaylorMade Golf Co.) and Derek Stendahl, who claimed both the Minnesota Senior Open and Minnesota Senior PGA Professional Championship.
Bennett Smed (White Bear Yacht Club) and Nate Deziel (Moorhead Country Club) will both begin the final round in a tie for ninth after posting a 1-under 72 during Friday’s first 18 holes of play.
The final round of the 52nd Minnesota Golf Champions gets underway at 10 a.m. Saturday at The Club at Golden Valley.
THE 52ND MINNESOTA GOLF CHAMPIONS
THE CLUB AT GOLDEN VALLEY
GOLDEN VALLEY, MINN.
7,042 YARDS, PAR 73
FRIDAY’S FIRST ROUND RESULTS
- Peyton Coahran, Little Crow CC, 35-33—68
- Nate Adams, Eagle Lake Youth Golf Center, 36-33—69
T3. Jack Wetzel, Braemar GC, 36-34—70
T3. Jesse Bull (a), The Club at GV, 35-35—70
T3. Andrew McCain, Combine Golf, 33-37—70
T6. Zach Sklebar, TaylorMade Golf Co., 36-35—71
T6. Trey Fessler, Albany GC, 38-33—71
T6. Derek Stendahl, Rush Creek GC, 37-34—71
T9. Matthew Armstrong (a), StoneRidge GC, 37-35—72
T9. Bennett Smed, White Bear YC, 37-35—72
T9. Nate Deziel, Moorhead CC, 36-36—72
For complete tournament results go to: Minnesota Golf Champions – Championship Leaderboard | Minnesota PGA