MADISON, Wis. - Illinois State finished the opening round of the season tied for third place out of 16 teams at the 2019 Badger Invitational.
The Redbirds are even with Rutgers at one stroke over par. Leading the field in the tournament is Notre dame, who is five strokes under par, while Kansas is two strokes under par. Both Notre Dame and Kansas earned berths into the NCAA Regionals, with the Fighting Irish sending an individual golfer to the National Championships.
David Perkins led the Redbirds in the opening round at two strokes under par (70). Starting the day on the 10th hole, he opened his day with two birdies over his first nine holes and went even par over the back nine. He is tied for sixth individually in the field, chasing the leaders by just one stroke.
Three Redbird golfers ended the first round one stroke above par (73). Among them are Joel Durnford, Dan Anfield, and Joe Hodgson. Durnford shot two under par over his first nine holes and followed up with three strokes over par on his final nine holes of the day. Anfield sunk five birdies in his opening round. Hodgson, who is made his Redbird debut, was even over his first nine holes and one stroke over par to close the round.
Freshman and Bloomington, Illinois, native, Parker Wisdom, began his collegiate career in today's round. Wisdom was at even par over his first nine holes and three over par to close his day but put up five birdies and is three shots above par (75) in the first-round.
"It was a solid team effort today, and I am pleased we are right in the mix," coach Ray Kralis said. "We have a long way to go, so we need to stay patient and in the present."
Individually, freshman Felix van Dijk started his collegiate career six strokes above par (78), shooting two over par in his first nine holes and four over in his final nine.
The tournament will continue tomorrow when the second round of play tees off at 9 a.m.
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