MOBILE, Ala - The Illinois State men's golf team finished South Alabama's Mobile Sports Authority Intercollegiate in fourth place Tuesday at the par-72, 7,212-yard Magnolia Grove Crossings Golf Course. The Redbirds saved their best for last, carding a 6-under-par 282 to finish with a three-round total 867 (299-286-282). Florida State topped the 16-team field with a 30-under-par 834 (280-278-276), sixteen strokes ahead of the host Jaguars, and twenty-four strokes ahead of Western Kentucky. The also Redbirds finished ahead of 46-ranked Kennesaw State and 51-ranked Notre Dame.
Sophomore David Perkins led the way for the Redbirds after firing a 3-under-par 69 (33-36). He also shot seven birdies and one eagle in the tournament. Perkins's performance was good enough for a 12th-place tie on the individual leaderboard with an even-par 216 (76-71-69).
Junior Trent Wallace finished the final round with a 1-over-par 73 (35-38), which was a repeat from his second-round score. His performance was good enough for a 18th-place tie on the individual leaderboard with a total score of 1-over-par 217 (71-73-73). Wallace also shot 11 birdies in the tournament.
Senior Zach Burry fired an impressive 2-under-par 70 (34-36) in the final round, including 13 birdies throughout the tournament. Burry and junior David Rauer finished with a three-round total of 2-over-par 218, good enough for a 20th-place tie for the two Redbirds. Rauer fired an even-par 72 in the final round, tagging on 5 birdies throughout the two-day tournament.
"It was a great team effort today," said head coach Ray Kralis. "Finishing off the second round in strong fashion and moving up three spots was big for us. We carried that momentum into round three and road that to a great start. While we dealt with a little adversity midway through the round, the guys stayed composed and competed to finish off a very solid team effort. Placing four guys in the top 20 is very encouraging at this point of the season, and we're looking forward to Florida State."
The Redbirds return to action February 24-25 to compete in Florida State's Seminole Intercollegiate at the Southwood Golf Club in Tallahassee, Florida.
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