Hawkeyes Earn 2 Victories in Final Day of B1G Match Play

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PALM COAST, Florida — The University of Iowa men’s golf team won two matches on Saturday in the second day of Big Ten Match Play at the par-72 Hammock Beach Ocean Course.
 
The eighth-seeded Hawkeyes defeated fifth-seeded Michigan State in the morning round, 4-2. In the afternoon, Iowa was victorious against second-seeded Purdue, by way of a tiebreaker after finishing even, 3-3.
 
Senior Benton Weinberg fired four birdies on his way to his third victory of the weekend in the morning round. Senior Alex Schaake, sophomore Gonzalo Leal Montero, and junior Jake Rowe also notched individual wins against the Spartans.
 
Against Purdue, Iowa trailed in five of six matches after the ninth hole, but turned it around on the back nine. Leal Montero and Schaake both registered their second individual victories of the day. Rowe birdied three of his final five holes to force a draw. Freshman Mac McClear also fought from behind to tie his individual match.
 
IOWA SCORECARDS
 
Round 3: Iowa 4, Michigan State 2

1. Alex Schaake (UI) def. James Piot (MSU): 4-and-2
2. Gonzalo Leal Montero (UI) def. Troy Taylor II (MSU): 2-and-1
3. Benton Weinberg (UI) def. Bradley Smithson (MSU): 3-and-2
4. Landon Ernst (MSU) def. Mac McClear (MSU): 3-and-1
5. Andrew Walker (MSU) def. Matthew Garside (UI): 2-and-1
6. Jake Rowe (UI) def Zach Rosendale: 5-and-4

 
Round 4: Iowa 3, Purdue 3

1. Alex Schaake (UI) def Joe Weiler (PUR): 1-up
2. Gonzalo Leal Montero (UI) def. Nick Dentino (PUR): 3-and-2
3. Andrew Farraye (PUR) def. Benton Weinberg (UI): 1-up
4. Mac McClear (UI) drew Jason Hong (PUR): halved
5. Cole Bradley (PUR) def. Matthew Garside (UI): 3-and-2
6. Jake Rowe (UI) drew Peyton Snoeberger (PUR): halved

 
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH TYLER STITH…
“We are happy with today’s result. We played well in the morning and beat a good Michigan State team. We had another tough match this afternoon. Purdue is a strong team and we trailed in five matches at the turn. We showed a lot of character and flipped a few matches. Schaake and Gonzalo came up with big wins, and McClear and Rowe were clutch down the stretch earning half points.”
 
NEXT UP
Iowa travels to Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, to compete in the Puerto Rico Classic on Feb. 16-18.