SUGAR GROVE, Ill. – Junior David Rauer had a hot start for the Illinois State men's golf team over Sunday's first two rounds of Northern Illinois' Northern Intercollegiate at the par-72, 7,656-yard Rich Harvest Farms.
The Redbirds were in third place at the end of the first round, shooting a 7-under-par 281, but fell to an eighth-place tie with Wisconsin after shooting a 299 in the second round, which produced a 36-hole total of 580 (281-299). Marquette leads the 12-team field with a ridiculous 30-under par 546 (274-272).
Rauer delivered a season-low 5-under-par 67 over the first 18 holes, before shooting an even-par 72 in the second round to end the day with a 5-under-par 139 (67-72) to sit in sixth place on the individual leaderboard.
Junior Trent Wallace finished the second round strong with a 1-under-par 71 (33-38), after shooting a 2-over-par 74 in the first round. Wallace now sits at tie for 23rd place with a 1-over-par 145 (74-71.) Sophomore David Perkins shot a 4-under-par 68 in his first round, which tied a career low, and concluded the second 18 holes with a 78.
Senior Zach Burry and sophomore Trey Tussey both finished the first day in similar fashion with an eight-over par 152.
"We saw glimpses of our potential in a great opening round with a very solid team score of 281, 7-under par," head coach Ray Kralis said. "That was a statement round for us with 67 and 68 from David Rauer & Dave Perkins supported by 72 and 74 on a course of this caliber. Unfortunately, we left Trent and David's strong second rounds stranded and fell down the leaderboard, but we are still in good spot going into the final round just five shots back of third. So much can happen with 18 to play, and I believe we will be ready for the challenge in front of us."
The tournament concludes Monday with the final 18 holes, with teams starting at holes one and 10 beginning at 8 a.m.
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