Former Colorado School of Mines golfer Jertson, seeking 4th straight trip to PGA Championship, opens with 69 in national PGA Professional Championship; Rudosky posts 71
By Gary Baines – 4/25/2021
Marty Jertson is no stranger to landing spots in the PGA Championship. In fact, the former Colorado School of Mines golfer has competed in that major five times, including each of the past three years.
And the 2001 CGA Amateur champion and longtime Ping employee appears determined for another return trip.
Jertson shot a 2-under-par 69 in Sunday’s opening round of the national PGA Professional Championship in Port St. Lucie, Fla., leaving him tied for 11th out of the 312-person field. The top 20 finishers after Wednesday’s final round of the 72-hole event will earn spots in the PGA Championship, set for May 20-23 at the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, S.C.
Jertson, a resident of Phoenix, made five birdies and three bogeys on Sunday.
Nine current Colorado residents are also competing in the PGA Professional Championship. Starting strong like Jertson was Micah Rudosky of Conquistador Golf Course in Cortez, who has qualified for the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, scheduled for May 27-30 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa. He landed that spot by placing 11th in his first national Senior PGA Professional Championship.
On Sunday, Rudosky carded an even-par round of 70, leaving him tied for 34th place. The 50-year-old posted two birdies and two bogeys on Sunday.
Frank Bensel Jr., of New York leads after firing a 6-under-par 65 in the first round.
The field will be cut to the low 90 players and ties after round 2 and to the low 70 and ties after round 3.
Here are all the scores for players with significant Colorado connections:
11. Former Colorado School of Mines golfer Marty Jertson 69 (-2)
34. Micah Rudosky of Cortez 71 (even)
88. Geoff Keffer of Lakewood 74 (+2)
122. Christopher Hyten of Castle Rock 75 (+3)
153. Kyle Voska of Highlands Ranch 75 (+4)
153. Alexandra Braga of Edgewater 76 (+4)
238. Doug Rohrbaugh of Carbondale 79 (+7)
263. Doug Wherry of Lone Tree 80 (+8)
289. Ryan Bakken of Westminster 82 (+10)
295. Barry Milstead of Castle Rock 82 (+11)
For all the scores, CLICK HERE.