Alex Schaake Leads Iowa on Day 1 of NCAA Regional

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BATON ROUGE, La. — University of Iowa freshman Alex Schaake posted an even-par 72 to lead the Iowa men’s golf team on day one of the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional on Monday. The Hawkeyes are in 11th place after posting an opening-round 303 (+15). The three-day, 54-hole event is being played at The University Club.

“We were plus eight the last three holes and we are 11 shots out of fifth place,” said UI head coach Tyler Stith. “That tells the story. We know we have to finish better to be in contention.

“There are still a lot of holes to play.  We can make up the shots but we need to execute much better than we did today. “
 
No. 6 LSU leads the regional tournament by six strokes over Virginia after firing an opening round 276 (-12). 

34529Alex Schaake led the Hawkeyes on day one, carding an even par 72. Schaake utilized three birdies on holes six, 12, and 14, with 15 holes at par or better. He is tied for 11th. 
 
“I was consistent today, three birdies and three bogeys,” said Alex Schaake. “You have to play well off the tee here and manage your way around the golf course well and I feel like I did that really well today.”

“Alex played a really nice round,” added Stith. “He made a couple of errant bogies on par 5’s but played a solid final nine holes.”
 
Senior Carson Schaake registered two birdies on the day en route to a three-over-par 75. Schaake posted 13 holes at par or better and is tied for 32nd overall. 
 
“I can take a lot of solid things away from my round today,” said Carson Schaake. “I’ve been working on hitting more fairways and I felt really comfortable with the driver. I hit a lot of really good putts and some of them just slipped away. I am excited for tomorrow.” 
 
Sophomore Matthew Walker posted a five-over-par 77 in Monday’s opening round. He carded three birdies and 11 holes at par or better. Walker is tied for 48th. 
 
Senior Raymond Knoll logged three birdies along with 12 holes at par or better en route to an opening round 79 (+7). Knoll is tied for 55th heading into the second round. Freshman Jack Simpson rounded out the Iowa lineup, posting an 85 (+13). Simpson is tied for 70th. 
 
The Hawkeyes return to The University Club Tuesday morning for the second round with tee times off No. 1 and 10 beginning at 8 a.m. (CT). Live scoring is available at golfstat.com.

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