IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa juniors Mac McClear, Garrett Tighe, and Ronan Kleu were named to the 2021 Big Ten Men’s Golfers to Watch List. This is the first conference preseason honor for all three golfers.
McClear is no stranger to Big Ten honors as he earned unanimous first-team All-Big Ten honors last season after winning the Big Ten Tournament individual title. The reigning conference champion was also named to the All-Big Ten Championships Team and earned Division I PING All-Midwest Regional Team honors last season. McClear is Iowa’s fourth Big Ten champion in program history.
The Hinsdale, Illinois, native had a breakout season in 2021, winning two tournament titles at the Spartan Collegiate at Sea Island and the Big Ten Championships. McClear posted a career-best 206 twice, equaling the fifth-lowest 54-hole score in program history (Spartan Collegiate at Sea Island; Hawkeye Invitational), and earned four top-20 finishes, including finishing in the top-10 three times. McClear’s round of 65 at the Spartan Collegiate, equaling the fourth-lowest score in school history.
Tighe also had an eye-catching sophomore season, finishing with 11 strong rounds in Iowa’s final four tournaments. Tighe posted three rounds at or below par, including a career-best 68 at the Hawkeye Invitational. The junior averaged 74 strokes for 18-hole rounds and tied for 10th at the Big Ten Championships. Tighe also fired a career-best 54-hole score of 216 competing as an individual at the Hawkeye Invitational.
Kleu is a newcomer for the Hawkeyes this year after previously attending Columbus State. A Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year honoree, Kleu led the Peach Belt with a 70.3 season stroke average last year. Kleu finished in the top 10 in all four events last season, including two top five finishes. The Swiss national shot below par in 11 of 15 rounds in 2021.
The Hawkeyes tee off their fall slate Sept. 5-7 at the Marquette Invitational at Erin Hills Golf Course in Erin, Wisconsin.