By Nick Hunter
MAPLEWOOD, Minn. – Sinking a birdie opportunity from 25-feet on his final hole Tuesday helped Derek Stendahl move to the front of the pack with a 6-under 66 at Keller Golf Course to begin the 2026 Minnesota Senior Open presented by Yamaha Sport and Utility.
Stendahl tallied four birdies over his final seven holes to take a one-stroke lead over amateurs Paul Schubring and Troy Johnson to Wednesday’s final round, looking for his second victory at the championship since 2022.
“Overall, it was a really good day. We had a great group, and we were all kind of in it for a while, so it was fun to feed off each other,” Stendahl said following his round Tuesday. “I’ve been working on my putting a lot—changed something and it just clicked today.
“[Johnson] and I will probably be playing together again tomorrow, and we kind of compliment each other. He hits it solid, doesn’t miss a lot of fairways and we hit a lot of greens.
Making his sixth appearance at the championship this week, Stendahl has finished no worse than sixth, which he attributes to his expanding knowledge of the course year after year.
“I love being out here—this is such a fun golf course to play for this event,” he said. “Playing here a number of times, you learn a little bit more about it and know where to be. In certain types of winds or knowing angles on certain pin locations—it’s just fun.”
Turning in 2-under Tuesday, Stendahl two-putted for birdie at the par-5 12th before wedging his approach out of the left rough at the 15th to inside of six feet, leading to his sixth birdie of the round.
He converted his birdie opportunity from six feet at the 17 and finished his day by holing a birdie putt from 25 feet at the last to take a one-stroke advantage to the final day of competition.
“That was unexpected,” Stendahl said of his final putt. “If you give me a tap-in for par there, I’d take it and walk away. To see it fall was an extra bonus.”
Stendahl opened the 2022 championship with a 71 before shooting 2-under during the final round to claim a two-stroke victory over Johnson, J.T. Johnson and Tom Helgeson for his first win in five seasons.
Since his victory at the event, the 55-year-old Stendahl has posted at least one victory in each of the last three seasons, while racking up more than 35 top-10 finishes.
Schubring entered Tuesday’s opening round without making more than two birdies over his last handful of rounds.
He carded three birdies over his first four holes before rolling in four more during his final nine, including three straight to wrap up his opening round in a share of second at 5-under 67.
“Today went surprisingly well—I found something on the range on Sunday, and it changed everything with the way my ball flew,” Schubring said. “I hit my lines, made a couple of 25-footers and a handful of medium-range putts.
“The only thing I thought about today was fundamentals—grip and setup. Hopefully do the same tomorrow.”
Johnson, 54, rebounded from a bogey on his second hole by playing his last 16 in 6-under par, including an eagle at the par-5 12th.
After turning in 1-under Tuesday, Johnson took advantage of all three par-5s on the inward nine by carding two birdies and an eagle down the stretch.
Tuesday’s opening round marked the first competitive round of the season for David Podas, who turned in a blemish-free, 3-under 69 in his return from an elbow injury over the winter months.
“I had a clean card, which is always good. Played pretty well all the way around,” the 63-year-old Podas said following his opening round. “I didn’t play any golf over the winter. I played and practiced a fair amount this spring, but haven’t played very well, so I wasn’t quite sure what would show up today.
“I drove the ball well and I cleaned up my work, meaning I made my two and 3-footers. [My elbow] is stiff, and it’s not perfect, but I’m just glad to be out here playing.”
Podas converted a pair of birdie chances during his front nine Tuesday before rolling in one more birdie at the par-5 10th, cruising to an opening-round 69 to share fifth place with Jesse Larson and 2014 Minnesota Golf Association Amateur and 2023 MGA Mid-Amateur champion Jesse Bull, three shots off the lead.
The 42nd Minnesota Senior Open continues Wednesday, with final-round tee times beginning at 8 a.m. at Keller Golf Course.
Notables
Eric Chiles (Chaska Town Course) carded a 1-under 71 Tuesday to finish his opening round in a share of 12th with Dale Jones (Mendakota Country Club), seven-time champion Don Berry, Chris Peterson (Oak Glen Golf Course) and 2023 champion Chris Borgen (Lost Spur Golf Course).
Winner of the 2005 championship, Mike Barge (Hazeltine National Golf Club), posted a 2-over 74 Tuesday to open in a share of 37th with 2011 winner Bill Israelson.
Thomas Vizina (PGA Life Member), who claimed the 2016 championship, finished his first round in a tie for 45th at 3-over 75 with two-time defending champion Matt Vandelac (PGA Life Member).