Photo credit: AJ Henderson
STATESBORO, Ga. – The University of Iowa men’s golf team moved up four spots on Saturday into a tie for ninth place after two rounds at the Schenkel Invitational. Junior Ronan Kleu posted a five-under par 67 to improve to a tie for fourth on the individual leaderboard before Sunday’s final round at Forest Heights Country Club.
Kleu drilled eight birdies on the afternoon, including birdies on five of his last seven holes. The Zollikerberg, Switzerland, native has registered 13 birdies through two rounds, matching Notre Dame’s Davis Chatfield for the most in the field. Kleu is positioned four strokes back from leader Kieron van Wyk of Charleston at six-under par (138) through 36 holes.
Freshman Ian Meyer is next for Iowa at even par (144) through two rounds. Meyer is tied for 27th heading into Sunday’s play. Sophomore Callum Macfie, who is competing individually, fired off Iowa’s second-lowest 18-hole score of the second round, shooting 70 (-2).
Junior Mac McClear sits at three-over par (147), while Junior Garrett Tighe is four-over par (148) heading into Sunday. McClear birdied four of his final five holes to get back to even par for the day. Senior Gonzalo Leal Montero shot an even 72 on Saturday, bringing his score to 152 (+8).
IOWA SCORECARD
| T-9 | Iowa | 290 | 284 | — | -2 | 574 |
| T-4 | Ronan Kleu | 71 | 67 | — | -6 | 138 |
| T-27 | Ian Meyer | 69 | 75 | — | E | 144 |
| T-40 | Callum Macfie* | 76 | 70 | — | +2 | 146 |
| T-47 | Mac McClear | 75 | 72 | — | +3 | 147 |
| T-51 | Garrett Tighe | 75 | 73 | — | +4 | 148 |
| T-71 | Gonzalo Leal Montero | 80 | 72 | — | +8 | 152 |
*Competed individually
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH TYLER STITH
“We started on the back nine again and made a few quick bogies. I’m proud of the team for responding well and bouncing back after the tough start.
Ronan [Kleu] really got the putter going out there. He showed a lot of character posting 67 after starting with a double-bogey.
We start on the back nine again tomorrow. We can definitely play holes 10 through 15 better, but they are good holes. If we can get through No. 15 at even par, we will be in very good shape.”
HAWKEYE NOTEABLES
- Kleu’s 2.75 par 3 stroke average ties for fourth in the field, as does his 4.25 stroke average on par 5s.
- The Hawkeyes are tied for third in total birdies (35) at the event heading into Sunday.
UP NEXT
Play at the Schenkel Invitational concludes with tomorrow’s third round.