Redbirds Rally for Shootout win in Little Rock

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Trailing by five strokes heading into the final round of the 2019 Little Rock Intercollegiate, the Illinois State Redbirds battled back and climbed into a tie for the top spot before winning the team shootout, claiming the team's first tournament victory since the Boilermaker Invitational last season. 

The Redbirds were victorious after a sudden death playoff against Campbell. The teams shot the one-hole playoff on the 18th hole, where Illinois State shot two-under par for the win. The two teams met in competition earlier this season at the Golfweek Conference challenge, where Campbell finished two places ahead of the Redbirds by three strokes. 

The squad opened the tournament by shooting even in the first round, and then four-over par in the second round to stand in sixth place overall heading into the final day, setting up the heroics for the Redbird golfers. 

"What a team building win," head coach Ray Kralis said. "This one didn't come easily, and it was filled with emotional highs and lows. It emphasizes how important it is stay in the game until the end." 

Leading the way for ISU was junior Joseph Hodgson. Hodgson finished two-under par - the lowest of his teammates for the day and finished the tournament three strokes under, tying for third in the individual field. 

Senior David Perkins ended his streak of under par rounds after shooting two over in the final round. Despite this, Perkins was still one under par in his tournament, and finished in eighth place individually. He has closed every tournament this season in the top-10 individual field. 

"We had great performances from Joe and Dave and big contributions from everyone at different times over the three rounds," Kralis continued. 

Daniel Anfield closed the tournament seven strokes over par and tied for 27th individually. Anfield carded seven birdies throughout the tournament, which ties the most among Redbird golfers this tournament with freshman Felix van Dijk, who finished the tournament ten-over par. Joel Durnford carded nine strokes over par for the tournament. 

"Dan's opening round of 69 was huge and the catalyst for us, and Joel and Felix birdied both their final and playoff holes to clinch it," Kralis concluded. "It was a great team effort." 

The Redbirds close out their 2019 fall season in Nassau, Bahamas when they compete in the White Sand Intercollegiate Nov. 1-3. 

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