Oct. 13, 2012
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone app!
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye Android app!
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
DURHAM, N.C. — The University of Iowa men’s golf team carded its lowest 18-hole score of the season, 288 (E), in the opening round of the Rod Myers Invitational, and sits tied for fourth place in the competitive 11-team field through 36 holes. Firing a two-round mark of 583 (+7) at the Duke University Golf Club, the Hawkeyes find themselves within striking distance of the tournament leaders entering Sunday’s final round.
Iowa shot even par in the morning round with a 288 (E), and closed with a 295 (+7) at the 7,154-yard par 72 course. The Hawkeyes trail 15th-ranked Duke, the tournament host and reigning champion, by nine shots. UNC-Charlotte (+3) and No. 48 North Carolina (+5) sit in second and third, while Baylor is tied for fourth along with Iowa at seven-over par.
Sophomore Ian Vandersee is tied for sixth on the individual leaderboard after leading Iowa with a two-round total of 143 (-1). Three players sit tied for first individually at five-under par. The Hawkeyes have four players within the top-30 of the leaderboard.
“We got off to a good start and played a really solid opening round. I was proud of the way our guys battled back in the second round to leave us in good shape to compete on the final day,” said Iowa head coach Mark Hankins.
Vandersee, a native of West Des Moines, Iowa, opened with an even par round to begin his day. After two bogeys on the front nine, Vandersee made birdies on holes 9, 10 and 14 to shoot a 72. In his final round, Vandersee played the final 10 holes at three-under par to close with a one-under, 71. He made seven birdies on the day and posted his first under-par round of the season.
“It was nice to see two good rounds from Ian,” said Hankins. “He looked a little frustrated in the beginning of the second round, but worked his way through it and finished strong, which is a testament to his mentality.”
Junior Steven Ihm, coming off a runner-up finish at the Golfweek Conference Challenge, fired a one-over par, 145 two-round total and sits tied for 15th place. Ihm finished one-under in the first round, marking his fourth consecutive under-par round. Ihm was two-over through three holes, but gained four strokes back with birdies on holes 4, 6, 9 and 12 to shoot a 71. He closed the day with a two-over, 74, with birdies on No. 4 and 14.
Sophomore Joseph Winslow got off to a fast start, and sits tied for 26th individually with a 147 (+3). Winslow made four birdies in his first round, firing a one-under, 71 to get the tournament started. He got into trouble on the front nine of his second round, but rebounded by playing the final 11 holes two-under to card a 76 (+4).
Consecutive consistent rounds have sophomore Brian Bullington tied for 30th place at four-over par (148). The Frankfort, Ill., native carded a 74 (+2) in both rounds of the day. Bullington made birdies on No. 3 and 13 in the morning round, and birdied No. 1 and 10 in the final round.
Junior Ryan Marks is tied for 53rd after carding a 156 (+12). Marks eagled the par-five 14th hole in the opening round, and finished with five birdies on the day.
“We’re only half way home, and there’s still a lot of work to be done,” said Hankins. “We need to go out tomorrow with the same approach we had today. We’ll stay focused on our individual goals, and our team goal will take care of itself.”
“It’s easy to get ahead of yourself with a night to sleep and a fresh start but it’s something we talk about every week, and staying patient and positive will go a long way to posting a good team score.”
The final round will of play will begin tomorrow morning with 18-holes left to decide the tournament. Tee times begin at 7 a.m. (CT).
2012 Rod Myers InvitationalTeam Leaderboard
1. #15 Duke, 574 (-2)2. Charlotte, 576 (E)3. #48 North Carolina, 293 (+5)4. Baylor, 583 (+7)4. Iowa, 583 (+7)6. #29 Tulsa, 584 (+8)7. #27 Liberty, 587 (+11)8. East Carolina, 590 (+14)9. #14 Northwestern, 593 (+17)10. Pacific, 595 (+19)11. North Carolina State, 605 (+29)
Individual Leaderboard
T1. Braeden Cryderman (Charlotte), 139 (-5)T1. Clark Palmer (UNC), 139 (-5)T1. Julian Suri (Duke), 139 (-5)T6. Ian Vandersee (Iowa), 143 (-1)T15.Steven Ihm (Iowa), 145 (+1)T26.Joseph Winslow (IOWA), 147 (+3)T30.Brian Bullington (Iowa), 148 (+4)="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/pre%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cdiv%20style="text-align: center">