PINEHURST, N.C. – The University of Iowa men’s golf team tied for fourth at the Wake Forest Invitational on Tuesday at Pinehurst No. 2. Senior Mac McClear earned his third top-five finish of the season, tying for second place at even par (210) through 54 holes at the U.S. Open host venue.
The Hawkeyes finished even with No. 33 Wake Forest and ahead of three other ranked foes (No. 31 Duke, No. 41 East Tennessee State and No. 43 Clemson). Iowa was three strokes back from a second-place team finish and 13 strokes out from tournament champions No. 49 UNCG.
McClear closed out play with a 67 (-3), good for a Hawkeye-best on the week. He advanced 18 spots in the final round, finishing three strokes back from medalist Nathan Petronzio of SMU.
The third-round score matches a season-low for McClear, who lead the field with a 3.89 (-4) stroke average on par fours at the Wake Forest Invitational.
Iowa also topped the field in par four stroke average (4.13) as a team finished with the second-most birdies through three rounds (41); McClear’s 12 birdies tied for the most among individuals at the event.
Senior Ronan Kleu notched his second top-10 effort of the season, tying for ninth place at 213 (+3) after 54 holes. Sophomore Ian Meyer tied for 22nd, four strokes back at 217 (+7).
IOWA SCORECARD
| T-4 | TEAM | 290 | 285 | 288 | +23 | 863 |
| T-2 | Mac McClear | 71 | 72 | 67 | E | 210 |
| T-9 | Ronan Kleu | 71 | 68 | 74 | +3 | 213 |
| T-22 | Ian Meyer | 71 | 73 | 73 | +7 | 217 |
| T-45 | Hogan Hansen | 77 | 73 | 74 | +14 | 224 |
| T-58 | Callum Macfie | 76 | 73 | 81 | +20 | 230 |
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH TYLER STITH
“I’m happy with the team’s performance. We had a good game plan and they guys deserve all the credit for executing.
Mac [McClear] hit the ball great today. If a couple more putts would have dropped, he would have had a great chance to win it. Even par and a runner-up finish is solid at Pinehurst.
Ronan had a good tournament as well. I know he’s disappointed with his last few holes today, but he had a good week.”
HAWKEYE NOTABLES
- McClear’s 12 birdies lead the field; four total Hawkeyes finished with eight birdies or more.
UP NEXT
Iowa travels to St. Simons Island, Georgia, for the Johnnie-O at Sea Island from March 13-14 at the Seaside Course.