Aug. 31, 2009
Illinois State Second Round Results
Golfweek Conference Challenge Leaderboard
Golfweek Conference Challenge Individual Leaderboard
RIVERSIDE, Iowa - Illinois State senior Kyle Bragg carded a 2-under-par 70 to help propel the Redbirds up one spot at the Golfweek Conference Challenge at the Blue Top Ridge Golf Club in Riverside, Iowa, Monday. The ‘Birds now stand alone in 10th place in the 15-team field after finishing the second round with a score of 294 to bring their two-day total to 592.
Bragg’s second round score moved him up 29 spots in the standings, into 26th place. His round included an eagle on the par-5 12th hole. Men’s golf head coach Ray Kralis was proud of his team’s performance on the second day of play.
“Obviously a little better team performance today,” Kralis said. “Kyle came back in a big way and the round he gave us today in this kind of field is what we need from someone. We have to keep our heads in it from start to finish. We’ve got to be very patient and carry ourselves expecting good things to happen. I’m really proud about the way the guys continued to battle and fight and stay in the game so that was good.”
Senior Tommy Bliefnick posted a 2-over-par 74 dropping him in the standings to a tie for 11th place. Sophomore Eric Meier fired a 3-over-par 75 to move him into a tie for 40th place, senior Joe Emerich also finished with a 3-over-par 75. He is now tied for 60th place. Junior Drew North shot a 9-over-par 81 to put him in 73rd place.
Kralis believes his team can still move up in the standings in Tuesday’s final round.
“We need to come out and play real strong tomorrow,” Kralis said. “There’s still a lot of golf left. I’m excited about getting back out there tomorrow and seeing if we can’t play a little bit stronger as a team.”
Iowa captured the lead in the team standings with a two-day score of 568, Florida State is in second place with a score of 572 and Baylor is in third place after carding a 575.
Iowa’s Brad Hopfinger is in the lead at 7-under-par, and there is a three way tie for second place between Vanderbilt’s Hudson Johnson, Florida State’s Drew Kittleson and Middle Tennessee State’s Jason Millard. All three are at 5-under-par for the tournament.
The final round will start with tee times at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. Live stats will be available at Golfstat.com.
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