Three-way Tie Sets Up Final Round Shootout at Tournament of Champions

BOYNE FALLS – As is often the case, the final round of the Tournament of Champions sets up as a shootout.

First-round leader Grant Heafner of Bloomfield Hills had some company in first place after Tuesday’s second round of the 33rd edition of the unique championship that brings together men, women, professionals, amateurs, seniors and juniors – all who have won significant Michigan championships – playing for the same title from different tee positions.

Otto Black of Brighton, the Michigan Open Champion earlier this summer, charged with a 7-under 65 for a 136 total, and senior touring professional Jay Jurecic of Crystal Falls shot 67 to also settle at 136.

Meanwhile, Heafner had to overcome an early double-bogey and shot a 71 to go with his first-round 65 for 136.

They will make up the final threesome off No. 1 tee on the Alpine Course Wednesday at 9:50 a.m., leading the 68 golfers who made the 36-hole cut at 6-over 150.

“This game we play is fickle,” said the 27-year-old Haefner who lamented some lip-out putts and two bad swings.

“Putts wouldn’t drop today. If we could all be perfect every day, we would all be Tiger Woods, right? So, you know, we’ll see what tomorrow brings. There are a lot more holes to play, and like I said, if you told me Sunday that on Wednesday, I would be in the final group with a chance to win, I would have taken it and welcomed the opportunity.”

Right behind the three-way tie for first was defending champion Joe Juszczyk of Dearborn Heights, who shot 68 for 137, and a notable foursome at 138.

In that 138 group was Petoskey native Joey Garber, the former PGA Tour pro who still has Korn Ferry Tour status and lives in Georgia. He also shot 65.

Another in the group was Jake Kneen of South Lyon, a two-time Michigan Open champion who recently finished his graduate studies at Oakland University. He shot 66.

Also in the group was Ben Smith, the former Michigan Amateur champion from Novi and now a mini-tour pro living in Atlanta. He joined the fun with a second consecutive 69.

And Jeff Bronkema of Caledonia, another former Michigan Open champion and mini-tour player who is now a UPS delivery driver, also shot a second consecutive 69.

In all, eight golfers are within two shots of the lead, and 12 are within three shots. At stake in the final round is the first-place check of $10,500 from the $75,000 purse, the historic Walter Burkemo Trophy, the traditional green champions’ blazer and a lifetime Country Club of Boyne membership.

Jurecic, a 55-year-old former teacher now chasing the PGA Champions Tour dream, said he has played well this summer, including getting into one Champions Tour event via a Monday qualifier.

“If I can stay in the moment and keep being comfortable at being uncomfortable, enjoy the day and trust my swing it can happen for me,” said the 2021 Michigan Senior Open champion. “I know I have to go low again. The course is in great shape. The greens are great. You hit a good shot you get rewarded. You just have to hit the good shots. I’m blessed for the opportunity.”

Black, a past champion here in 2021, said putts that didn’t drop on Monday found the hole on Tuesday.

“There are greens that are pretty hard out there, so being on the right side of the hole and below the hole is very important,” he said. “If you are above, you are just playing defense with the putter.”

The 31-year-old mini-tour pro said he will build on the momentum from Tuesday and lean on past experiences on the Alpine course for the final round.

“Anytime you come up here, you’re trying to get the win for sure,” he said. “It’s special to win up here.”

SCORING: Find the leaderboard at www.michiganpga.com