CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Illinois State Redbirds closed strong on the second day of the 2019 Golfweek Conference Championships, climbing to a tie of fifth place as a team, as senior David Perkins had another big outing.
Illinois State is in a five-way lock up for fifth place with one round to go. The squad shot even on the day keeping their score four strokes over par but they are now within striking distance of the field's top three.
Perkins is on top of the individual leaderboard by two strokes after two rounds of play. He went five under par in today's round bringing his two-round total to nine under par. The senior didn't shot a bogey-free round, sinking five birdies on the day.
"Dave played another outstanding round and went bogey free which is impressive around this track," coach Ray Kralis said. "Joel also gave us a key round in the red."
Senior Joel Durnford improved from yesterday's start. Durnford shot three birdies in the first nine holes to go even and one birdie in the last nine to finish the day one under par, improving his total to four strokes over.
Tied up with Durnford four over par is freshman Felix van Dijk. van Dijk shot two over on the day, carding an even-par total over the final nine holes of the course. Individually, Andrew O'Brien sunk two birdies and two bogeys, one in each half of the course.
Junior Joseph Hodgson finished the day four strokes over par, bringing his two-round total to eight strokes over par. Hodgson was able to sink an eagle on the sixth hole of the day. Daniel Anfield shot seven over par on the day.
 "We are bunched up and need a solid team effort tomorrow," Kralis concluded. "I know we are capable and believe in this group."
The tournament concludes Sept. 17 with a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start.
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