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NIC ADAM \/ FREE PRESS FILES<\/p>\n
Braxton Kuntz watches a shot in the Manitoba Open in 2024. Kuntz qualified for this week\u2019s tournament on Monday and is playing in the event for the fourth time.<\/p>\n
A second sponsor\u2019s exemption went to Ryan McMillan, who gets to play his home course. McMillan, 27, works as an assistant pro at Elmhurst in addition to being the University of Manitoba\u2019s golf coach. He\u2019s also a decorated amateur player, having won back-to-back provincial junior titles in 2017 and 2018. His uncle, Rob, won the Open in 1996.<\/p>\n
Last, but certainly not least, is Braxton Kuntz, who grabbed one of eight open spots during Monday\u2019s qualifying event at Glendale. A total of 58 golfers, including 11 Manitobans, were in the field.<\/p>\n
Kuntz, 22, fired a five-under-par 67 that included eagles on three different par-fives \u2014 Nos. 6, 14 and 17.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s funny, I was telling my caddie that I think I average one eagle every 12 rounds. And then I happen to make three in a round,\u201d said Kuntz.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just thinking this past weekend how I hadn\u2019t made an eagle in forever.\u201d<\/p>\n
The timing couldn\u2019t have been better. Kuntz was one under through 13 holes and felt a sense of urgency, figuring he needed to get to at least five under to make the grade.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew I had to get it going. At no point was I out there cruising. I was always kind of pushing myself,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Kuntz has played in four Opens. The first three \u2014 2022, 2023 and 2024 \u2014 came as a result of winning the Manitoba Amateur, while he got into last year\u2019s rain-shortened event at his home course through a sponsor\u2019s exemption. It marked his first professional event, just weeks after he finished his collegiate career.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had to earn it this year, so I\u2019m proud of myself for that,\u201d said Kuntz, who has played a handful of lower-tier pro events this summer in both Canada and the United States.<\/p>\n
A trio of American golfers finished tied for the Monday qualifying lead at seven under par \u2014 Tyler Isenhart, Jay Nimmo and Jimmy Dales \u2014 while Kuntz and Grant Engle of the U.S. were next at five under.<\/p>\n
Four golfers were tied at four under, requiring a playoff to determine the remaining three spots. Unfortunately, the lone man out was Winnipegger Ryan Blair, an Elmhurst member who bogeyed the second playoff hole to be eliminated.<\/p>\n
That left Alberta\u2019s William Holan and Americans Andrew Boeber and Muzzy Donohue as the other qualifiers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was really hoping for (Blair). It\u2019s too bad,\u201d said Kuntz, who watched the playoff.<\/p>\n
The other nine Manitobans trying to qualify included Kaleb Lambert (one under), Carson Inman (one under), Marco Trstenjak (even), Travis Fredborg (even), Charlie Boyechko (one over), Sam Diamond (one over), Austin Dobrescu (two over), Dayne Douglas (eight over) and Jonathan Wiegner (nine over).<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess I\u2019ve now found every way to play in the event. The only thing I have that\u2019s on my bucket list is to make a cut. But I\u2019m excited to get out to Elmhurst. It\u2019s a great track, and it\u2019s going to be a challenge,\u201d said Kuntz.<\/p>\n
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Might he be able to carry the Monday momentum forward?<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be honest, I\u2019m in a weird spot with my golf game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m seeing big improvements with my short game and putting. Irons have been great. But I have struggled quite a bit off the tee, and I did (Monday) as well. I know once I figure that out, I\u2019m gonna be all ready to go. I\u2019m really hoping I can iron some things out with the driver in the next couple days.\u201d<\/p>\n
A total of US$225,000 in prize money is up for grabs this week, along with valuable points in the standings. There are just five events left in the season, including this one, and the top 10 at the end of the year get their 2027 cards for the Korn Ferry Tour, which is one step below the PGA Tour.<\/p>\n
www.winnipegfreepress.com\/mikemcintyre<\/p>\n
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Mike McIntyre Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. Read more about Mike<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Reporter
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