Neisen Holds Off Burnham to Win Second Minnesota Women’s State Open Crown

VICTORIA, Minn. – After a record-breaking performance to begin the 2017 Minnesota Women’s State Open at Deer Run Golf Club Tuesday, former New Prague High School standout Kenzie Neisen won her second title by carding a final-round 74 Wednesday.

Neisen set a career-mark and tournament record by shooting a 9-under par 63 Tuesday, taking a five-shot lead over 2013 champion Sarah Burnham into Wednesday’s final round, narrowly fending off a charging Burnham by sinking a short par putt on the final hole to earn a one-stroke victory.

“This is really special—I’ve missed being home and being able to play with everyone. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to do that,” Neisen said after her victory Wednesday. “I hope to enjoy everything that I did and try to see where I can build from it and use it as momentum going into the fall season. I was a little surprised just because I was busy this summer with classes. I was able to practice a lot, but haven’t been able to play in a competitive event.”

Neisen’s scorecard was littered with seven birdies and an eagle during the first round Tuesday, but carded one bogey on each nine Wednesday as she was unable to capitalize on several birdie opportunities to distance herself from the field.

“I had some birdie opportunities that were close and I couldn’t get them to drop and a few up-and-downs that I missed. I think we both struggled to get some putts to drop, so it was one of those days,” Neisen said.

“Sarah’s a great player and I knew she was going to give it a run and she definitely did. I didn’t want to set my expectations too high—after [yesterday’s round] it’s easy to do that. It’s tough to repeat it two days in a row.”

After cruising to an 11-shot margin of victory at the 2015 Women’s State Amateur at Interlachen Country Club, Neisen carded fired a round of 72 to open the 2015 Women’s State Open at Hillcrest a week later followed it by shooting 67 on the final day to earn a five-stroke victory, her third of the season.

As a bookend to her incredible 2015 season, Neisen won the Big 12 individual title at the tail-end of her freshman season at Oklahoma State University and successfully defended her title a year later.

Neisen won the Minnesota Women’s State Match Play in 2014 and earned medalist honors at the Class AAA in both 2013 and 2014 while at New Prague High School. She has qualified for six USGA events since 2012.

Burnham followed up her round 68 Monday by posting a 2-under par 70 during the final round Tuesday, one of just five players to shoot red figures.

“Today I was going to give it my all. I fell one shot back—coming back from five down, I can’t complain,” Burnham saidTuesday. “After nine I was only three back and knew there were some birdie holes on the back and thought I could give it a run.

“I birdied the first hole and didn’t really have much after that. I had some chances out there, but the putts didn’t fall. Overall I had two good rounds—I was happy with how I played and where my game is at.”