FORT COLLINS, Colo. –Trent Wallace helped start the Redbirds off strong in the first two rounds of Colorado State's Ram Masters Invitational. The tournament is being held at the par-70 7,218-yard Fort Collins Country Club.
Illinois State ended the first round on a strong note, finishing in first place for the fourth straight round, after leading wire-to-wire at the Badger Invitational a week earlier. After the second round, however, the Redbirds sit in second place after host Colorado State set a Ram Masters Classic record with a single-round score of 266. Illinois State's 278 in the second round does stand as the 10th-single-round team score in tournament history. The Redbirds trail Colorado State by 11 strokes and lead third-place South Dakota by 10 strokes.
Senior Trent Wallace leads the Redbirds after two rounds, scoring a three-under-par 67 in the second round. That round included a birdie on a par 5 hole. Wallace is currently in a three-way tie for fourth place with a three-under-par 137 (70-67).
Junior David Perkins shot an even 70 in the second round with a couple of birdies. He came out of the gate strong in the first round, scoring a two-under-par 68. Perkins sits in a four-way tie for seventh place individually with a 138 (68-70).
Senior David Rauer finished the second round with a two-above-par 72. Rauer also had a strong start scoring a one-under-par 69. He is in a three-way tie for 16thindividually at 141 (69-72).
Junior Joel Durnford had a strong second round finish after a decent first round. After scoring a three-above-par 73 in the first round, Durnford came back swinging with a one-under-par 69 with four birdies. Joel is currently tied for 19thplace individually at 142 (73-69)
Sophomore Andrew O'Brien shot 73 in both rounds and has a total score of 146 (73-73). In the first round, O'Brien got an Eagle on a par 5 hole.
"I am really pleased with how the guys came out of the gate after opening last week with such a strong performance," head coach Ray Kralis said. "While we definitely took positives from it, we showed up this week to compete and looked hungry out there. While we were really strong in some areas, we had to battle through some adversity in others. That's the way this sport is, and you have to expect it and be prepared to deal with it. It helps when you know everyone can not only contribute, but be a difference maker, and that's what we have with these guys. This group is capable of doing special things, so we're looking forward to getting after it tomorrow."
The tournament will conclude tomorrow when O'Brien tees of at 9:50 GMT.
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