Oftelie Clings to Slim Lead Through Two Rounds at MGA Senior Amateur

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  WACONIA, Minn. – Despite carding three bogeys over his final five holes Tuesday, Stu Oftelie fired a round of 1-under par 71 to remain on top of the leader board after two rounds of play at the 96th Minnesota Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship at Island View Golf Club.

Oftelie opened the championship with an even par 72 on his home course Monday in tough conditions and will cling to a one-stroke lead over David Haslerud and a three-shot lead over Craig Hanson entering Wednesday’s final round.

Starting his second round on the 10th tee Tuesday, Oftelie rolled in his birdie look at the par-4 13th before giving back a stroke with a bogey at the 15th. Finding his rhythm mid-round Tuesday, Oftelie would turn at 2-under for the championship and move to 4-under with a string of four birdies in a five-hole span carrying over to his back nine.

But Oftelie would find trouble late for a bumpy finish to his second round by carding three bogeys over his final five holes to post a second-round 71 to cling to a one-stroke advantage through 36 holes.

Haslerud, runner-up at the event in both 2014 and 2016, played a steady opening round considering the conditions Monday and followed it with a 1-under par 71, one of just five rounds under par for the field Tuesday.

Beginning his round on the 10th tee Tuesday, Haslerud put three bogeys on his scorecard during his front nine before quickly finding his footing on the back, rolling in three consecutive birdies starting at No. 1.

Converting birdie at the par-4 fifth, Haslerud drew even for the championship and finished the day with a 71 to sit alone in second place, one shot back.

Jerry Rose, David Rehfeldt and Bob Cavanaugh each completed two rounds of play at 3-over par 147 and in a tie for fourth place, four shots off Oftelie’s lead, while five players sit five shots off the lead at 148.

The 96th MGA Senior Amateur Championship concludes Wednesday with final round tee times beginning at 8:10 a.m. at Island View Golf Club.