May 2, 2014
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FRENCH LICK, Ind. — The University of Iowa men’s golf team stands in sixth place after the opening day of the Big Ten Championships at the Pete Dye Course. Teams completed 36 holes during the first day of the 72-hole tournament. The Hawkeyes began the second round in a tie for ninth after carding a 19-over-par total score of 307 in the first round, but improved upon their first round score by 11 strokes (+8, 296) to move into sixth place (+27, 603).
Purdue leads the team race with a two-round score of 594 (+18).
“We did not play well in the first round,” said UI head coach Mark Hankins. “In the second round, we had a couple guys shoot around even and Steven (Ihm) finished under par at 71. It was a much better round, but it does not change anything for tomorrow. We have to play the same golf course, and need to do a better job of managing the course and do our best.”
Senior Steven Ihm carded a six-over-par first round score of 78, positioning himself in a tie for 45th. The Peosta, Iowa, native then posted a one-under score of 71, highlighted by an eagle on the 534-yard par-five hole No. 7. Ihm currently resides in a tie for 12th at five-over-par.
“The course played tough,” said Ihm. “We did a good job of adjusting during the second round, and we climbed the leaderboard. I feel good about our chances going into the weekend.”
Junior Ian Vandersee and freshmen Raymond Knoll and Carson Schaake find themselves in a tie for 22nd after carding eight-over-par scores of 152 in 36 holes of play. Knoll and Schaake are playing in their first career Big Ten Championships.
“It was a really good experience,” said Knoll. “I am looking to build on this heading into the weekend.”
Vandersee and Knoll both carded a six-over 78 in their first rounds and a two-over 74 in their second. Knoll capped his second round with an eagle on hole No. 18, finding the hole on his third shot from 107 yards out.
“I am proud of everybody and am happy with the way I came back in the second round,” said Vandersee. “I got off to a rough start, and out here, where there are limited birdie opportunities, it is tough to bounce back.”
Schaake fired a three-over 75 in his first round before carding a five-over 77 in his subsequent 18 holes. Schaake recorded four birdies in his first round.
Junior Brian Bullington is tied for 42nd after firing a four-over 76 in his first round and a seven-over 79 in his second.
Play resumes Saturday at the Pete Dye Course at 8 a.m. (CT). Live stats are available via golfstat.com.
TEAM LEADERBOARD
1. Purdue – 594 (+18)
T2. Illinois – 595 (+19)
T2. Minnesota – 595 (+19)
4. Ohio State – 596 (+20)
5. Northwestern – 602 (+26)
6. IOWA – 603 (+27)
7. Indiana – 606 (+30)
8. Penn State – 607 (+31)
9. Michigan State – 610 (+34)
10. Wisconsin – 613 (+37)
11. Nebraska – 615 (+39)
12. Michigan – 620 (+44)