BARK RIVER, Mich. – With first day results that have peppered the Illinois State men's golf record book – including an opening-round 64 from Alex McCulla, the third-lowest single round in program history – the Redbirds stand in second place, one stroke out of first with 18 holes to play at the 2023 Island Resort Intercollegiate.
Michigan leads the field after the first day with a 557, while the Redbirds' 558 is a stroke behind the Wolverines. Miami (Ohio) (561), host South Dakota State (562), Boise State (563), North Texas (563), St. Mary's (566), Coastal Carolina (573), Bowling Green (576), Central Florida (576), and Ohio (587) round out the 11 schools in the strong field.
The Redbirds return to the course for the final 18 holes on Monday afternoon.
McCulla opened his day with a 64, which trails only rounds of 63 from Tommy Bliefnick and Joe Emerich at the 2007 D.A. Weibring Intercollegiate. McCulla came back in the second round with a 65 to tie for the fifth-best round in program history. His two-round 129 has him five strokes ahead of the individual field after the opening day.
After a two-over-par opening round, Parker Wisdom answered with a career-best 66 – also tied for the 15th-best single round in program history – and is tied for 15th overall in the field with 18 holes remaining in the tournament after a two-round 140 (-4).
Playing as an individual, Valentin Peugnet carded rounds of 73 and 68, and stands with a three-under 141 through 36 holes into the tournament, tied for 18th overall.
Newcomer TJ Barger opened his Redbird career with a two-under 70 in the first round, and followed that with a two-over 74, and he heads into the final day at even par overall with a 144, tied for 31st.
Will Troy's day with an even-par 72 and a three-over 75 has the Redbird at three strokes over par through 36 holes and tied for 45th. Felix van Dijk followed his even par opening round with a four-over 76, and his 148 has him tied for 53rd. The final ISU golfer in the field – Jack Paeglow – shot matching rounds of 77 for a 154.
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