Californian carries lead into final round of Manitoba Open

Riley Lewis has already had a summer to remember, teeing it up with some of the biggest names in golf at the U.S. Open. Now, the 23-year-old from California has a chance to make another lasting memory — by winning his first professional tournament.

Lewis carries a one-shot lead into Sunday’s second and final round of the Manitoba Open after firing an eight-under 63 on Saturday at Breezy Bend. His card featured eight birdies — including the opening four holes — and 10 pars, leaving him just one shy of the course record.

“I can’t complain. Got the ball in the hole quickly for the most part,” Lewis told the Free Press. “Just kept it in front of me, didn’t really have any bad mistakes. Just one of those good rounds where all the putts were falling.”

A Loyola Marymount University graduate, Lewis turned pro last year and quickly earned his PGA Tour Americas card. He’s played in 10 events so far this season, recording two top-10 finishes, including a tie for sixth in New Brunswick in early July. A week later, he was competing at historic Oakmont after qualifying for the U.S. Open through regionals.

Though he missed the cut after rounds of 76 and 75, the experience proved valuable. He also teed it up on the Korn Ferry Tour earlier this month in Nebraska, where windy conditions contributed to another missed cut.

“I got my butt kicked out there in all that wind,” said Lewis, noting the blustery conditions at Breezy Bend felt familiar. “It’s good to see I’m learning how to deal with it.”

Lewis entered the week 28th on the PGA Tour Americas points list with five events remaining. The top 10 at season’s end earn Korn Ferry Tour cards, so a strong result here could be pivotal.

“I think it’s nice I’m going out early (Sunday morning for his last round), as I kind of get to keep the momentum going,” he said. “It’s my first time being in this position so I’m excited to see what happens.”

He’ll have to hold off a large pack of players in hot pursuit. Americans Jake Staiano of Colorado and Joel Thelen of Michigan are just one back after carding 64s. Ontario’s Peyton Callens is the top Canadian after a six-under 65, joining Norway’s Mats Ege and Americans Peter Knade, Patrick Flavin and Cristian DiMarco in a tie for fourth.

Eight others sit three shots back after rounds of 66, including Canadians Noah Steele, Thomas Giroux and Chris Crisologo.

This year’s Manitoba Open has already been unusual. Heavy rain on late Wednesday and overnight wiped out play on Thursday and Friday, transforming the traditional 72-hole marathon into a rare 36-hole sprint. The full purse and points remain available, but with no cut, all 156 players are playing the weekend — creating a heightened sense of urgency.

Despite that, scores weren’t quite as low as expected. Gusty winds and six-inch rough kept players in check, with just 78 breaking par.

For local fans, the highlight was Braxton Kuntz making his pro debut at his home course. The four-time Manitoba Amateur champion shot a two-over 73 to sit tied for 125th.

“It was pretty nice. Just to hear the applause and support when I was teeing off on the first tee was very cool,” said Kuntz, who striped a perfect drive down the fairway as a huge gallery gathered around him.

“To have all the people out watching was pretty special. Something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

Kuntz, a recent Ball State University graduate, made a double bogey on the second hole, then mixed three birdies, three bogeys and 10 pars the rest of the way.

“It’s hard because I have such high expectations. I expect myself to play so well at this course, so to shoot a couple over I’m pretty disappointed to be honest,” said Kuntz.

“I had one bad swing on the front nine. After that I played pretty good golf but just didn’t make too many putts.”

Also drawing attention was Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie, who saw just how good professionals are — and how tough golf can be. Comrie shot 96 — 25-over par — and is dead last by a considerable margin. He started well, making par at the first and sitting three-over through six. But double bogeys on eight and 12, followed by a 10 on the par-four 14th, derailed his round.

The other Manitoban in the field, reigning Amateur champion Evan Nachtigall of Brandon, posted a five-over 76 after a roller-coaster round which featured six birdies, five bogeys, four pars and three doubles, leaving him tied for 147th.

Meanwhile, Michigan’s Brett White — who is an honourary local as a result of being married to a Winnipeg woman — is tied for 17th after a 67. Tour points leader Michael Brennan shot 68 and is tied for 29th.

Sunday’s final round begins at 7:30 a.m and continues all day. Unlike traditional weekend play in 72-hole tournaments, players will remain in their original groups instead of being reshuffled by score. That means Lewis will tee off at 8 a.m. — nearly 12 hours before the final competitor drops his last putt of the day.

More information, including tickets, is available at www.manitobaopen.com. Live scoring can be found at www.pgatour.com/americas/leaderboard.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg

Mike McIntyre
Reporter

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.

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