By Nick Hunter
MCGREGOR, Minn. – Helped by one birdie and an eagle during his final nine holes Tuesday, Jacob Otta carded a final-round 72 at Minnesota National Golf Club and Resort and survived a two-hole playoff with Matt Newman to win the 96th Minnesota PGA Professional Championship presented by Club Car.
Otta collects his first victory of the 2026 season and has now won at least one section event in three consecutive seasons.
Otta advances to the 2027 PGA Professional Championship next April at Streamsong Golf Resort in Bowling Green, Fla., and will be joined by Newman, Eric Chiles, Kyle Scanlon, Jeff Sorenson, Thomas Campbell and Eric Rolland.
Entering the final round one shot back of Newman, Otta carded a pair of birdies, which were negated by two bogeys to turn in 2-under for the championship.
Dropping to 1-under following his bogey at the par-4 fourth, Otta capitalized on a second eagle opportunity at the fifth in consecutive rounds to move him to 3-under and within one shot of the lead.
Despite a bogey at the eighth, Otta finished regulation tied for the clubhouse lead at 2-under 142 following Newman’s double-bogey finish to force a playoff.
Both Otta and Newman made par on the first playoff hole before Otta closed out the championship with a par on the second playoff hole for his first Minnesota PGA Professional title.
Holding a one-stroke lead through 14 holes Tuesday, Newman extended his lead to two with his birdie at the par-3 sixth, but would stumble late with a double-bogey at the seventh followed by a bogey at the eighth to card a final-round 73 to finish in a share of the lead at 144.
Chiles fired the low round of the championship during his final round Tuesday, carding a 4-under 68, which was helped by converting four birdie chances over his final nine holes, moving up 11 spots on the final day to finish in third place at 1-under 143.
Scanlon posted a final-round 72 Tuesday to finish in a share of fourth with the five-time champion Sorenson and the two-time defending Rolex Minnesota PGA Player of the Year Campbell at 1-over par 145.
THE 96TH MINNESOTA PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
MINNESOTA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB & RESORT
MCGREGOR, MINN.
7,025 YARDS, PAR 72
TUESDAY’S FINAL RESULTS
1. Jacob Otta, Sanford Power Golf Academy, 70-72—142 (won playoff, medalist)
2. Matt Newman, The Minikahda Club, 69-73—142 (qualifier)
3. Eric Chiles, Chaska TC, 75-68—143 (qualifier)
T4. Kyle Scanlon, Northfield GC, 73-72—145 (qualifier)
T4. Jeff Sorenson, The Minikahda Club, 73-72—145 (qualifier)
T4. Thomas Campbell, The Wilds GC, 73-72—145 (qualifier)
7. Eric Rolland, Augsburg University, 75-72—147 (qualifier)
T8. Scott McDonald, TaylorMade Golf Co., 73-75—148
T8. Matt Sandquist, Edina CC, 72-76—148
10. Grant Shafranski, North Oaks GC, 76-73—149
For complete tournament results go to: MN PGA Professional Championship – Championship Leaderboard | Minnesota PGA