PINEHURST, N.C. – The University of Iowa men’s golf team is in eighth place after two rounds at the Wake Forest Invitational. Iowa sits at 600 (+40) through two rounds at U.S. Open anchor site Pinehurst No. 2.
Junior Mac McClear is out in front for Iowa, tied for seventh in the highly competitive field with a five-over par score of 145. The reigning Big Ten champion shot an even-par second round (70), matching the third-lowest 18-hole score so far at the event.
McClear sank three birdies in the second round to battle back to even on the round at the elite course.
Freshman Ian Meyer is next behind McClear for Iowa in a tie for 26th. Meyer is 11-over par (151) heading into the final day of competition.
Junior Ronan Kleu is tied for 33rd at 12-over par (152), while senior Gonzalo Leal Montero is tied for 43rd (154). Junior Garrett Tighe is tied for 45th at 155 (+15). Sophomore Callum Macfie, who is competing as an individual, is in 57th place at 159 (+19).
IOWA SCORECARD
| 8 | Iowa | 301 | 299 | — | +40 | 600 |
| T-7 | Mac McClear | 75 | 70 | — | +5 | 145 |
| T-26 | Ian Meyer | 74 | 77 | — | +11 | 151 |
| T-33 | Ronan Kleu | 74 | 78 | — | +12 | 152 |
| T-43 | Gonzalo Leal Montero | 78 | 76 | — | +14 | 154 |
| T-45 | Garrett Tighe | 79 | 76 | — | +15 | 155 |
| T-57 | Callum Macfie* | 83 | 76 | — | +19 | 159 |
*Competed individually
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH TYLER STITH
“The course demands accuracy off the tee and distance control into the green. The wind blew 20 mph all day which adds to difficulty. We need to drive it better tomorrow and play from the fairway. Mac [McClear] didn’t hit the ball great today, but he managed his game very well. Even par this afternoon was really good. He’s in a strong position heading into the final round.”
HAWKEYE NOTEABLES
- McClear leads ranked opponents such as Wake Forest’s No. 18 Michael Brennan and No. 33 Alex Fitzpatrick.
- The Hawkeyes totaled 20 birdies, the third most in the field through two rounds. Kleu led the way with six, followed by Leal Montero (5), McClear (4), Meyer (3), Tighe (2), and Macfie (1).
UP NEXT
The Wake Forest Invitational concludes tomorrow at Pinehurst No. 2. The Hawkeyes begin teeing off at 7:50 a.m. (CT).