Minnesota Senior Open

ZINNI LEADS BY 2 AS HE GOES FOR 3 STRAIGHT SENIOR OPEN TITLES

JORDAN -- Mike Zinni had to come from two strokes behind in the final round last year, on the way to his second Minnesota State Senior Open championship in a row.

This year, he doesn't need to make up any ground on anyone. Zinni leads the 2008 Senior Open by two going into Wednesday's final round after shooting a 3-under-par 69 in the first round at Ridges at Sand Creek.

The 59-year-old head professional at Mankato Golf Club made two birdies and a bogey on the front nine and was 1 under for the round, before he birdied two of the last three holes.

David Kokesh, an amateur from Bent Creek GC whose 71 in the second round last year at Pebble Creek was the low round of the day (he tied for sixth in the '07 tournament), shot another 71 Tuesday and is alone in second place.

Two pros -- Bill Israelson and John Snyder -- and two amateurs -- Jim Lehman and Jon Empanger -- are tied for third at 72. This is Lehman's first appearance in a Minnesota senior tournament. (His younger brother Tom will turn 50 next year -- he was born March 7, 1959, which was a Saturday -- and thus become eligible for the Champions Tour.)

There are seven players tied for seventh at 73, including last year's MGA Senior Player of the Year: Randy Garber.