Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | Hawk Talk Monthly — September 2017 | Gopher Invitational Final Results (PDF)
INDEPENDENCE, Minn. — Sophomore Ryoto Furuya led the University of Iowa men’s golf team in the final round of the Gopher Invitational on Monday by posting an 18-hole personal-best 69 (-2). The Hawkeyes finished in 14th place in an elite field by shooting a 54-hole total of 893 (+41; 292, 296, 305) at the par-71 Windsong Farm Golf Club.
Behind a strong finish with five birdies in the final round, Furuya tied for 28th, the best finish in his career. For the tournament, Furuya carded a career low 54-hole total of 219 (+6; 73, 77, 69). Sophomore Alex Schaake tied for 42nd by shooting a steady eight-over-par, 219, over 54-holes. Junior Matthew Walker registered a 10-over-par, 223, to tie for 51st.
Arkansas won the tournament by 10 strokes with a four-under-par, 848. Fourth-ranked Baylor finished in second place at six-over-par and Oklahoma placed third at seven-over-par.
Kent State’s Ian Holt claimed medalist honors by firing a five-under-par on the final round, and finished with a 54-hole total of 203 (-10; 70, 67, 66).
IOWA SCORECARD
| 14. | Iowa | 292 | 296 | 305 | +41 | 893 |
| T-28. | Ryoto Furuya | 73 | 77 | 69 | +6 | 219 |
| T-43. | Alex Schaake | 74 | 72 | 75 | +8 | 221 |
| T-53. | Matthew Walker | 72 | 71 | 80 | +10 | 223 |
| T-73. | Sam Meuret | 73 | 76 | 81 | +17 | 230 |
| T-77. | Alex Moorman | 74 | 77 | 85 | +23 | 236 |
HAWKEYES ON THE TEAM LEADERBOARD
Furuya was only two-strokes away from a top-20 finish and four-strokes away from a top-10 finish. A tough second and third round outweighed a strong start from the Hawkeyes, who shot eight-over-par in the first round, which had them in a tie for sixth place with Oklahoma and Purdue.
COACH STITH’S COMMENTS
“Today was very disappointing, but we have to pick ourselves up quickly and look ahead to this weekend in Cedar Rapids. Ryoto (Furuya) played great and showed a glimpse of what he’s capable of. Today’s round will give him more confidence and belief in his game.”
NEXT TOURNAMENT
Iowa returns to the links next week when the Hawkeyes host the Golfweek Conference Challenge at the Cedar Rapids Country Club, Sept. 17-19, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The tournament features one team from 15 different conferences around the country.
