IOWA CITY, Iowa – In the final tune-up before the 2024 MVC Championship, the Illinois State men's golf team tied for fourth place in a loaded field at the 2024 Hawkeye Invitational. The Redbirds shot a three-round 846 for the tournament, which is tied for the ninth-best tournament score in program history.
With the top-10 performance this weekend, the Redbirds now have seven of the top 15 lowest tournament scores in program history during 2023-24 season. ISU will put their strong season to the test next weekend in Sunrise Beach, Missouri, competing in the MVC Championship hosted at the Club at Porto Cima.
Big Ten foe Wisconsin took home the team title with a three-round 840, while TCU and Southern Illinois tied for second with an 845, one stroke ahead of ISU's 846. Central Arkansas was even with ISU with the 846, while Iowa (847), Nebraska (850), Northern Illinois (851), South Dakota State (851), Kansas City (855), Creighton (858), Kansas (859), Wichita State (865), Missouri State (868), Drake (874), and Murray State (878) rounding out the 16 schools in the field.
Parker Wisdom – playing as an individual – had the team's best individual finish by tying for sixth with a three-round 208, which is tied for the 20th-best tournament score in program history. In his final round he was never over par, as he opened with a pair of pars and a birdie. In all he had four birdies, a dozen pars and just two bogeys over his final round of the tournament.
Felix van Dijk finished three under par for his final round, tying for ninth place in the field with a three-round 209. Like Wisdom, his final round aggregate score was never over par, as he opened with two pars and two birdies over his first four holes. He ended the round with five birdies, 11 pars, and just two bogeys for his final-round 68.
Senior Valentin Peugnet finished two under par in his final round, to see him tie for 21st overall with a 54-hole score of 213. In his final round he had just one bogey – on his fifth hole after opening with four consecutive pars – before answering right back with his first of three birdies on the day. He also birdied his 15th and 18th holes of the day to give him his two-under 69 for the final round.
Redbird newcomer TJ Barger finished the tournament with a one-under 70, and he ended the tournament tied for 32nd overall. His final-round 70 came via three birdies, 13 pars and a pair of bogeys, as his three-round score was a 215.
Alex McCulla tied for 39th in the field with a three-round 216, including a final-round 75 in which he had 14 pars and four bogeys, while Will Troy tied for 51st behind a final-round 76 giving him a 54-hole score of 218.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
