Matt Maskel rebounded from a tough start to record a four-over-par 74 as Illinois State shot a 303 team score Thursday in the first round of the NCAA West Regional Tournament at the Stanford Golf Course in Stanford, Calif.
Matt Miller shot a 75 and Kyle Vasel a 76 as the Redbirds were ninth among the 12 teams with morning tee times.
Players battled tough course conditions as heavy early Thursday morning rains resulted in long, damp rough bordering narrow fairways on the 6742-yard course.
Maskel took a six on the 215-yard par three third hole, but erased that deficit with a string of three straight birdies on the sixth, seventh and eighth holes. At the turn, he was just one stroke off the individual lead with an even-par 35.
Vasel was the only Redbird player to avoid the double-bogie and his 37 was the low Illinois State score for the back nine.
Millers nightmare came with a two-over-par six on No. 2, but he bounced back with seven straight birdies on the way to a 37 on the front nine and a 38 on the back.
Redbird coach
Ray Kralis was proud of the fact that his players scored par or better seven times immediately after double-bogey or worse holes and thinks they learned what adjustments would have to be made in subsequent rounds.
It was great to see our guys battle back right away after big-number holes, said Kralis. We handled that aspect really well. All five of our guys felt like they played a lot of good holes and certainly battled all day, but I think well have to take a look at how we approach our drives and maybe sacrifice a little distance off the tee to stay a little straighter on the fairway.
2005 Missouri Valley Conference medalist Kris Wildenradt overcame a tough start to record a 78 for the Redbirds fourth team score. Denny Bull shot an 82 to complete the Redbird individuals.
The long, thick rough had an impact on all the players, said Kralis. When you have conditions like this, you have to be able to hit smart shots and pick your spots to go for it. These conditions are a little bit different for everyone on the course.
The Redbirds are part of the last group to play on Friday teeing off at 3:03 p.m. Central Time for the second 18 of the 54-hole tournament.
