Oct. 1, 2011
DURHAM, N.C. – University of Iowa sophomore Steven Ihm is in first place after two rounds at the Duke-hosted Rod Myers Invitational. The Hawkeyes are in fourth place with a 36-hole total of 582 (+6). With an opening round of 295 (+7), Iowa shaved off eight strokes for a second round of one-under par 287. Charlotte is leading the 11-team field with a score of three-under 573. Action is being held at the par 72, 7,136-yard Duke Golf Club in Durham, N.C.
Ihm posted a pair of rounds at two-under par 70 for a day one total of four-under 140. He started off hot with three birdies on the front nine, making the turn at three-under. Ihm gave back a stroke with a bogie on 10 but played steady golf to par out the remainder of the round and finish two-under through 18.
Ihm also found success on the front night his second time around, making birdie on two of the last three holes to make the turn at one-under for the round, three-under on the day. With nine-consecutive holes at even par or better, Ihm closed out another round of two-under par 70. He is one of just six competitors to finish the day under par.
Senior Barrett Kelpin’s day went back and forth, but he managed to finish with a couple rounds of 73 (+1). With one more round of competition, he is tied for 15th with a 36-hole mark of 146 (+2). Kelpin started off at two-under through nine holes, but found some bogies on the back nine to finish one-over after 18.
He made par six-consecutive holes to begin the second round and went birdie, bogie, birdie to finish the front nine one-under on the round, even par on the day. After a bogie on ten, Kelpin posted an eagle on the par-five 11th hole, only to give it back with a double-bogie on 12. Kelpin played his final five holes at even par for another round of 73 (+1).
Freshman Brian Bullington responded well to an opening round of 76 (+4) by firing a second 18-hole total of even par 72. In his collegiate debut, Bullington started off with five bogies through six holes. Once settled in, Bullington posted pars on 10 consecutive holes before draining a birdie putt on 17 and finishing four-over after 18.
He began the second round with a birdie, bringing him to three-under on the day. Bullington posted 12 pars and three birdies in his second round. With a two round total of 148 (+4), he sits in a tie for 24th with 18 holes to play.
Freshman Ian Vandersee also tied for 24th and found similar results in day one. With a rough start of five-over through seven holes, Vandersee found a rhythm and played consistent golf for the remainder of the day. Minus a tough beginning, Vandersee went one-under par on his last 29 holes, posting four birdies and just three bogies. He ended the day with first and second round totals of 76 (+4) and even par 72, respectively.
Senior Chris Brant is tied for 40th with a two-round mark of 153 (+9). He improved as the day went on but couldn’t overcome a few tough holes early in the day. After an opening round of 79 (+7), Brant found himself four-over on his second round through three holes. A birdie on nine began a closing stretch that Brant played three-under par to end with a second round score of 74 (+2).
The final round will begin tomorrow morning with a shotgun start. Fans can follow the action live at golfstatresults.com.