Sept. 16, 2013
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BURLINGTON, Iowa — The University of Iowa men’s golf team is ninth following the second round of the 15-team Golfweek Conference Challenge at Spirit Hollow Golf Course. The Hawkeyes posted a 291 (+3) during Monday’s round of 18, improving seven strokes from the opening round (298).
Iowa’s 36-hole total stands at 589 (+13). The Hawkeyes are one stroke back of Central Arkansas, Jacksonville State, LSU, and Winthrop, who are tied for fifth.
For the second-straight day, senior Ryan Marks paced the Hawkeyes, turning in an even-par 72. Marks posted a one-over-par 73 during the opening round, and currently is tied for 18th (145).
“He is acting like a senior,” said UI head coach Mark Hankins. “He is going about his business and staying calm on the golf course. He is hitting the ball and putting well and playing to his strengths right now.”
“I had a triple bogey on No. 6 today, but other than that played bogey-free with three birdies,” said Marks. “I continued to hit the ball really well, hitting 11 fairways and 14 greens. I have been staying patient, which is what I have been working on.”
Senior Steven Ihm and sophomores Nate Yankovich and Voramate Aussarassakorn rounded out Iowa’s four counting scores. All three carded a one-over-par 73. Ihm is tied for 25th (147), Yankovich sits in a tie for 32nd (148) and Aussarassakorn is tied for 36th (149). Marks, Ihm, Yankovich and Aussarassakorn each improved their scoring during the second day of action.
Freshman Raymond Knoll finished his second career round as a Hawkeye with a 77 (+5). He is tied for 53rd.
“We were better prepared this morning,” said Hankins. “We talked over a few things and got off to a better start today. For the most part we hung in there and played well on the back side again. If you play the back side under par like we did Sunday, you obviously have the talent to compete for a championship.
“We were close to shooting a really good round today. We need to put five good scores together tomorrow, and hopefully, someone will go low.”
Oklahoma leads the team race, posting a 36-hole score of 568 (-8). Four individuals sit atop the leaderboard at three-under-par (141).
“As a team we want to move up as much as possible tomorrow and have everyone keep improving,” said Marks. “Individually, I would like to stay patient and shoot as low as possible.”
The fifth annual Golfweek Conference Challenge concludes Tuesday with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. (CT). Live stats are available at golfstat.com.