CHARLESTON, S.C. — The University of Iowa men’s golf team moved up another two spots on Tuesday to tie for fifth place in the 14-team Kiawah Invitational at Oak Point Golf Club. The Hawkeyes carded a 5-under par today, which tied for the second lowest third round score.
In its first stroke play event of 2021, Iowa posted a 54-hole score of 14-under par, which was the best finish among seven Big Ten teams (Purdue, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Rutgers, Michigan State, and Maryland).
Gonzalo Leal Montero led the way for Iowa, shooting under par all three rounds to tie for eighth place at 7-under par. The junior recorded his third top 10 finish as a Hawkeye.
“I was consistent off the tee and my irons were especially good,” Leal Montero said. “I did a good job committing to every shot.”
That consistency was key, as the course’s rolling hills require precision to navigate the fairways. Golfers were also challenged with damp conditions, which canceled play on the first day of the event. However, Leal Montero says that he found ways to use the weather to his advantage.
“The course was so wet after the rain on the first day and last night,” says Leal Montero. “I think that made it a little easier, especially today with all the wind.”
Fifth-year senior Benton Weinberg and sophomore Mac McClear each registered 3-under par scores, which tied the duo for 23rd place. Leal Montero and Weinberg each fired a team-best 4-under par 68 today, while McClear carded a 68 in yesterday’s second round.
“Overall, it was a solid week,” Leal Montero says. “We are looking forward to the next tournament at Sea Island in a couple of weeks. “
QUOTING HEAD COACH TYLER STITH
“I’m pleased with the team’s performance, especially over the last two rounds. It was a team performance. Gonzalo was solid notching a top 10 finish. He gained confidence as the tournament went on and looked very good today going bogey-free. Benton was 6-under over the last two rounds. Mac shot 4-under in the second round and Alex had a bogey-free 69 in round two. Jake finished strong today when we needed it. We have many positives to take home with an understanding of where we need to improve.”
IOWA SCORECARD
| T-5 | Iowa | 289 | 278 | 283 | -14 | 850 |
| T-8 | Gonzalo Leal Montero | 70 | 71 | 68 | -7 | 209 |
| T-23 | Benton Weinberg | 75 | 70 | 68 | -3 | 213 |
| T-23 | Mac McClear | 72 | 68 | 73 | -3 | 213 |
| T-39 | Alex Schaake | 73 | 69 | 76 | +2 | 218 |
| T-58 | Charles Jahn* | 71 | 73 | 78 | +6 | 222 |
| T-74 | Jake Rowe | 74 | 77 | 74 | +9 | 225 |
*–competing as an individual
HAWKEYE NOTEABLES
- Leal Montero tied for second in the tournament field in par 3 scoring (2.80). He was one of 15 players to card an eagle.
- Weinberg and Leal Montero tied for eighth in par 5 scoring (4.60).
- Weinberg sank 14 birdies, tying for 10th most in the field.
- Alex Schaake and Jake Rowe each recorded 40 pars, tying for seventh most.
UP NEXT
Iowa travels to Sea Island, Georgia, on March 8-9 for the Spartan Collegiate at Sea Island.