If you look at Chris Haugen’s scorecards from each of his last two rounds, you’d think there are two different guys playing each of the nine holes. But all he needs is one good putt to turn his fortunes.

Haugen beat Mike Herzog 1-up in 20 holes to advance to his fourth senior final in five years. In 2016 and 2017, he went back-to-back– beating Jon Empanger and Herzog’s brother, Steve. In 2019, Steve Herzog got the better of Haugen to win his third Senior championship.

There are no Herzog’s left in the division trying to spoil Haugen’s party.

However, there is a Lindberg.

Mark Lingberg won the 2002 and 2003 Men’s Division championship at the Resorters around runner-up finishes in 1998 and 2004. He has run through the Senior Division with few troubles. On Friday afternoon, he took care of business against Mark Frie with a 4-3 win.

Lindberg has played in late-tournament matches against Haugen in years past. Haugen, who knocked off top-seeded JT Johnson and Herzog, has been in the underdog role as the 25th seed this week.

“We all know each other at this point,” Haugen said. “Lindberg beat me last year and I beat him three years ago. Both of those matches went to No. 18. He’s a great guy, and it’s going to be a barn burner tomorrow. He’s playing good golf. I can’t start as slow as I did the last two days.”

Haugen def. Herzog, 1-up 20 holes

Herzog’s back nine was impressive at 2-under par. Yet it wasn’t enough to hold off Haugen's surge.

Trailing by one at the turn, Haugen birdied three times and eagled the par-5 No. 12 on the back to finish regulation at even par. It was quite the turn around from his 4-over par front nine.

“It seems like my putting struggles early on in the matches,” Haugen said. “Then I find something where I make a lot of birdies on the back nine. That’s helped turn the tide… Once I see a good putt go in it helps me mentally. I just play better on the back nine too. I don’t know what it is. Maybe it just fits my eye better.”

Haugen took his first lead on No. 12 after his eagle, but gave it back with a bogey on No. 15. Herzog regained his lead with a birdie on No. 16 before Haugen squared the match with a birdie on No. 18. It was Haugen’s fourth birdie on the day, and he knew he needed it to keep his championship hopes alive.

“(Herzog) was not going to make a bogey there,” Haugen said. “He’s a really good putter, so I knew I had to make a birdie. I had a really good drive to the front edge of the green. Then I two-putted for birdie. That was a nice way to get it to extra holes.”

In the sudden death stage of the match, Haugen felt like he was playing with confidence and momentum.

“I felt like I had a second life,” Haugen said. “(Herzog) played really well, but I was optimistic because I knew I was close to having this match be over without that birdie on 18.”

Lindberg def. Frie, 4-3

Lindberg took a lead on the first hole with a birdie and never gave it up. He went 3-up on Nos. 2 and 3 before his par win on No. 8 put Mark Frie in a deep hole.

Frie got one back with a birdie on No. 12, but Lindberg’s poise carried through the back nine until his final birdie on No. 15. Lindberg is playing some of the best golf at AGC this week– especially in his last two rounds. To get through the tournament, Lindberg beat Mike Johnson 6-4 and Justin Cattoor 7-6.

Lindberg will try to hoist another Resorters trophy for the first time in nearly two decades when he meets up with Haugen on Saturday afternoon.

SATURDAY SENIOR DIVISION PAIRINGS -- 1ST TEE

1 P.M. - Chris Haugen vs. Mark Lindberg