April 26, 2013
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone app!
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye Android app!
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
FRENCH LICK, Ind. — The University of Iowa men’s golf team is four strokes off the lead and are sitting in third place after Friday’s opening two rounds of the Big Ten Championships. The Hawkeyes shot an opening round 289 (+1) – the second best round of the morning – before carding a 300 (+12) in the afternoon to finish with a 36 hole score of 589 (+13). Action is being held at the par 72 Pete Dye Course in French Lick, Ind.
The Hawkeyes trail No. 35 Illinois (585/+9) and Minnesota (587/+11) by two and four strokes, respectively, entering Saturday’s third round. Two student-athletes are on top of the leaderboard at four-under par. Iowa is led with two players in the top-seven of the 60-man field.
“It’s the first day and we came prepared to play,” said UI head coach Mark Hankins. “We kept grinding until the final hole and will use what we learned today to improve tomorrow.”
Junior Steven Ihm and sophomore Joseph Winslow – Iowa’s No. 1 and 2 players in the lineup – are each tied for seventh with a two-round total of 146 (+2).
Ihm entered the afternoon round in sixth place after a one-under, 71, opening round. The Peosta, Iowa, native was one of just seven players to break par in the first round. After an even par front nine, Ihm made birdies on holes 14 and 18 to close at one-under, which was his seventh consecutive below par round. After his second round slid to a five-over start, Ihm scrambled with birdies on holes 13, 15 and 17 to card a 75 (+3).
Winslow was steady throughout the day, with a combined 22 pars and six birdies in the first two rounds. He made birdie on holes 3, 9 and 14 in the morning to card am even par, 72. Winslow shot a 74 (+2) in the second round with birdies on holes 3, 10 and 16.
Sophomore Brian Bullington played two solid rounds with a 74 (+2) and a 75 (+3) to sit in 24th place. After opening the tournament with a double-bogey on the first hole, Bullington played the rest of his first round even par with four birdies and nine pars. He made 13 pars in the second round and birdied holes 15 and 18 to get two strokes back.
Sophomore Ian Vandersee is tied for 35th place with a two-round score of 153 (+9). After a shaky start with three bogeys through the first four holes, Vandersee was stellar the rest of his opening round with birdies on holes 8, 14 and 18 to get back to even par (72). He wasn’t able to match that in his second round, carding an 81 (+9) with one birdie and nine pars.
Freshman Nate Yankovich improved five strokes in the second round and is tied for 51st place with a two-round score of 157 (+13). After playing the first four holes at one-under, Yankovich fell to nine-over on the morning round. He rebounded in the afternoon to provide Iowa with a counting score. Yankovich played the final eight holes at one-under, making birdies on holes 14 and 18, to shoot a 76 (+4).
“Steven and Joseph played two pretty solid rounds, and Brian was steady,” said Hankins. “We have a couple guys that won’t be too pleased individually, but as a team, we’re in contention and need to continue to stay patient and confident tomorrow.”
The third round of play will begin Saturday at 8 a.m. (CT). Live results are available at golfstat.com.
2013 Big Ten Championships
Team Leaderboard
1. Illinois, 291-294 — 585 (+9)
2. Minnesota, 285-302– 587 (+11)
3. Iowa, 289-300 — 589 (+13)
4. Indiana, 299-291 — 590 (+14)
T5. Purdue 304-294 — 598 (+22)
T5. Ohio State, 306-292 — 598 (+22)
T7. Northwestern, 296-305 — 601 (+25)
T7. Michigan State, 297-304 — 601 (+25)
9. Michigan, 301-306 — 607 (+31)
10. Nebraska, 311-297 — 608 (+32)
11. Wisconsin, 304-308 — 612 (+36)
12. Penn State, 317-297 — 614 (+38)