March 11, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. -
Senior Ben Murphy was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week, as announced by the league office Wednesday afternoon. He led the Illinois State men's golf team to a fourth-place finish after firing a 5-under-par 211 (73-66-72) in the Samford Intercollegiate at Limestone Springs Golf Course March 9-10. Murphy tied for third place, which marks his first top-five finish of the season and second of his career.
"It was great to see Ben (Murphy) put together a solid tournament, he deserved it," said head coach Ray Kralis. "He struggled some in the fall but continued to battle and his consistent play really helped the team earn fourth place this week."
With 36-holes slated for the opening day, Murphy found himself 1-over par after the first 18 holes of competition. In the second-round, he torched the course with a 6-under-par 66 and in third place entering the final round of competition.
In the final round, Murphy shot even-par, 72, and tied for third place, two behind the leader. The Redbirds finished ahead of MVC foes Southern Illinois (tied for fifth place) and Evansville (13th place).
The Redbirds will continue their fall campaign in the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate at Magnolia Grove Golf Club in Mobile, Ala., March 22-24.
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