Lilleboe Leads Hall Financial Michigan Open At Halfway Point

HALL FINANCIAL MICHIGAN OPEN: Eric Lilleboe of Okemos Takes Lead at Halfway Point

   ROCHESTER – Eric Lilleboe of Okemos said the Latin America portion of the PGA Tour Americas schedule was a grind, but his game has been showing improvement back home in Michigan.

  “I had a tough time getting momentum down in Latin America, but I know my game is right there, and at any point the switch can turn on,” he said after shooting a 3-under 68 Tuesday and taking the lead through two rounds of the Hall Financial Michigan Open Championship.

  Lilleboe’s 7-under 135 total for the two days on the Katke-Cousins course at Oakland University Golf & Learning Center left him three shots clear of the field.

  Jake Kneen of South Lyon, the assistant golf coach at Oakland U., shot 70 for 138 to stand alone in second.

  Four golfers checked in at 139 including first-round leader Tyler Copp of Ann Arbor and the PGA Tour Americas, who shot 74 to follow his opening 65, amateur Matt Zerbel of St. Joseph, who shot 71, mini-tour golfer Zach Robbins of Grand Rapids, who shot 70, and Parker Fanning of Bloomfield Hills, an assistant professional at Oakland Hills Country Club, who shot 70.

  Seven golfers were at 140, including defending champion Joe Juszczyk of Dearborn Heights, who shot 69, 2016 Michigan Open champion Jeff Bronkema of Caledonia, who shot 71, amateur Joe Montpas of Flushing, who shot 68, amateur Jerred Barley of Tipton, who shot 73, mini-tour player Patrick Sullivan of Grosse Pointe, who shot 73, former Oakland University player and newly minted professional Colin Sikkenga of Kalamazoo, who shot 70, and Mike Carrillo, an assistant professional at Gull Lake Country Club, who shot 70.  

  The 36-hole cut to the low 70 scorers and ties fell at 8-over 150 and 75 players will continue through Thursday in the $100,000 state championship.

 The 36-year-old Lilleboe has been in the winner’s circle in the Michigan Open before, in 2019, and he is aware the job is half-finished.

  “Two rounds to go and this is not an easy golf course,” he said. “The Michigan PGA does such a great job setting up the course, and this course is always in great condition, so you have to hit it well out here for four rounds to have a chance.”

  Lilleboe had five birdies against two bogeys in his round and called it steady except for a three-putt bogey on No. 3.

  “I didn’t do anything special, and except for a few bad putts, I was steady and solid,” he said.

 Kneen is a two-time past champion. He won in 2018 and again in 2022, calls the course one of his homes and has played several times in Michigan Open competition with Lilleboe.

  “I won in 2018 and he was right there, and then he won in 2019, and it seems like we have been in the same group a lot of times,” he said. “I made two bogeys to finish today, so not a great way to go into the third round and I would have been right with him. Still two rounds to go. I am comfortable here, and I know Eric is one of the best players in the state and always one of the players you have to beat to win the Michigan Open.”

SCORES: at michiganpga.com

ABOUT HALL FINANCIAL:  David Hall started Hall Financial in 2016 with the core mission to be the most client-focused mortgage company in the industry. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, Hall Financial has positioned themselves as a regional powerhouse that is growing rapidly. Since its inception, the company has built a reputation for making the mortgage process simple and fast while delivering clients with five-star service. With over 6,000 five-star reviews, Hall Financial’s team is committed to providing customized mortgage solutions tailored to each client’s needs. Beyond mortgages, Hall Financial is deeply involved in the community, supporting various charitable initiatives, and fostering a culture of giving back. Website: callhallfirst.com

 SUPPORTING SPONSORS: Make The Turn, Turbo Insurance, Harbor Title Agency and Fox Motors. A benefit for the players in the field is lunch being provided each day courtesy of Patti Finnegan’s Pub & Grille at Oakland University.