Iowa Sits in 3rd After 2 Rounds at Hawkeye Invite

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa men’s golf team opened play at the Hawkeye Invitational at Finkbine Golf Club on Sunday. The Hawkeyes finished the first two rounds 17-under-par to sit in 3rd place.

Junior Gage Messingham is tied for third in the field at eight-under-par (136) through the first two rounds, sitting just two strokes behind the leader. The Arvada, Colorado, native carded a career-best five-under-par (67) in the opening round, highlighted by four birdies and an eagle. He kept the momentum going in round two with a three-under-par (69) heading into the final round.

Sophomore Max Tjoa sits tied for 14th at two-under-par (142) after a strong showing in the second round. The Cedar Falls, Iowa, native posted a career-low six-under-par (66), recording seven birdies to bounce back from a first-round four-over-par (76).

Senior Ian Meyer opened the day with a season-low three-under-par (69) in the first round, followed by a one-over-par (73) in the second. He recorded six birdies and two eagles across both rounds to finish at two-under-par (142), ending the day tied for 14th place.

Freshman Ryan Shellberg turned in a steady performance for both rounds to finish at even-par (144), tying for 22nd. The Prosper, Texas native tallied seven birdies on the day.

Fellow freshman Chance Rinkol also sits tied for 22nd at even-par (144) through two rounds. After opening with a four-over-par (76), the Leawood, Kansas, native came back with a career-best four-under-par (68) in the second round, highlighted by six birdies and an eagle.

As a team, the Hawkeyes lead the field in total pars (109), rank second in par-4 scoring average (4.06) and par-3 scoring average (3.13), and sit third in total birdies (38). Individually, Messingham holds the second-best average on par 4s (3.85) and is tied for third in total birdies (10). Tjoa, Rinkol, and Messingham are all tied for second in par-3 scoring, averaging even-par.

HAWKEYE SCORECARD

3/13	Team	284 (-4)	275 (-13)	559 (-17)
T3	Gage Messingham	67 (-5)	69 (-3)	136 (-8)
T14	Max Tjoa	76 (+4)	66 (-6)	142 (-2)
T14	Ian Meyer	69 (-3)	73 (+1)	142 (-2)
T22	Ryan Shellberg	72 (E)	72 (E)	144 (E)
T22	Chance Rinkol	76 (+4)	68 (-4)	144 (E)

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH TYLER STITH
"Today was a complete team effort.  Ian stepped up with a big round this morning. Chance and Max had great bounce back rounds this afternoon. I’m proud of how the guys responded. Gage was very solid all day.  He dropped a few shots on the back nine with three putts but I know he will be ready to compete tomorrow.  He’s hitting it well, he just needs to stay patient and trust his game."

UP NEXT
Iowa returns to the course Monday for the final round of the Hawkeye Invitational at Finkbine Golf Club.