ERIN, Wis. – The University of Iowa men’s golf team finished ninth at the Marquette Invitational with an eight-under par team score of 856. Senior Gonzalo Leal Montero and junior Ronan Kleu led the way for the Hawkeyes, tying for sixth place at eight-under par through 54 holes (208).
Kleu shot 71 on Tuesday, tying freshman Ian Meyer for the lowest Hawkeye score in the final round. Kleu played stellar golf on the back nine, hitting two birdies, an eagle, and a par in the span of four holes (No. 11-15). The Swiss national finished with four birdies on the day, bringing his total to 11 for the week.
Leal Montero closed out a strong opening tournament as well, bringing his birdie count to 13 on the week to lead the Hawkeyes. Meyer’s performance in the final round was also notable, closing with three birdies and an eagle of his own on a bogey-free back nine.
IOWA SCORECARD
| 9 | Iowa | 286 | 278 | 292 | -8 | 856 |
| T-6 | Gonzalo Leal Montero | 69 | 65 | 74 | -8 | 208 |
| T-6 | Ronan Kleu | 67 | 70 | 71 | -8 | 208 |
| T-59 | Jake Rowe | 74 | 71 | 76 | +5 | 221 |
| T-59 | Ian Meyer | 78 | 72 | 71 | +5 | 221 |
| T-81 | Mac McClear | 76 | 73 | 76 | +9 | 225 |
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH TYLER STITH
“We started poorly this morning. The rain delay came at a good time because we needed to reset. We played much better after the weather delay and got hot on the back nine. I made a poor decision on No. 18 that cost Ronan a few shots, but we will learn from it. I’m proud of how we fought back today. This group has potential and they are willing to work at it.”
HAWKEYE NOTEABLES
- Iowa’s four eagles matched USC for the most at the Marquette Invitational; three Hawkeyes eagled hole No. 14 Tuesday (Kleu, Meyer, Mac McClear) while the two others birdied it (Leal Montero, Jake Rowe). Kleu earned two eagles on the week.
- Kleu’s 2.83 stroke average on par threes (-2) tied for the second best at the event.
- Leal Montero’s 13 birdies led the Hawkeyes, followed by Kleu (11), Meyer (9), Rowe (8), and McClear (7). Iowa combined for 48 birdies on the week.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes head to Independence, Minnesota, for the Gopher Invitational Sept. 12-13 at Windsong Farm Golf Course.