Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2019-20 | Hawk Talk Monthly | Day 1 Results (PDF)
RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico — Following the first 18 holes of the Puerto Rico Classic, University of Iowa men’s golf sophomore Gonzalo Leal Montero leads the team after firing an even par-72.
The Hawkeyes are tied for 13th at seven-over-par (295) at the Rio Mar Country Club River Course. Iowa is ahead of Big Ten opponent Ohio State by eight strokes. The three teams at the top of the leaderboard all rank in the top-20 of Golfstat’s rankings.
Seniors Alex Schaake (T-43; +2), Benton Weinberg (T-43; +2), and freshman Mac McClear (T-51; +3) followed closely behind Leal Montero. Jake Rowe, Schaake and McClear carded the most birdies for the Hawkeyes on day one, each sinking four. The four birdies tied the field for the third highest total in the first round.
IOWA SCORECARD
| T-13 | Iowa | 295 | +7 |
| T-28 | Gonzalo Leal Montero | 72 | E |
| T-43 | Alex Schaake | 74 | +2 |
| T-43 | Benton Weinberg | 74 | +2 |
| T-51 | Mac McClear | 75 | +3 |
| T-61 | Jake Rowe | 77 | +5 |
HEAR FROM COACH STITH
“On the front nine, our back, holes number one through eight cost us a lot of shots. I feel like we played tighter today than we did last week. Perhaps that is just making the switch from match play to stroke play. We are hitting the ball well and just need to play with more confidence and commitment the next two days.”
OF NOTE
- Leal Montero tied teammate Alex Schaake for a team-leading seven rounds at or below par.
- Iowa ranked fifth in par-5 scoring (4.85) and sixth in par-3 scoring (3.20).
- The Hawkeyes drained 16 birdies collectively today, sixth most in the 15-team field.
- Leal Montero recorded par on 15 of his 18 holes today, tying for second in the 75-player field.
UP NEXT
Iowa is paired with Ohio State and East Carolina for tomorrow’s second round teeing off at 7 a.m. (CT).
