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Illinois State University Athletics

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Dennis Banks

Men's Golf Bill Salyer

Men’s Golf Goes Low in Dorado Beach Opening Round

DORADO, Puerto Rico – With its four scoring players all at or under par, the Illinois State men's golf team put together a stellar round with a 10-under-par 278 over the opening round of the 2025 Dorado Beach Intercollegiate.

Will Troy carded the second-lowest round of his career with a five-under 67, with Alex McCulla chipping in with a four-under 68.

ISU's 278 is the lowest mark of the season and tied for the 14th-lowest round in program history. The Birds trail just tournament host UNCG (273) and Temple (275) and are tied with UConn (278). Among those chasing after the top four schools in the field include Wofford (280), Loyola Maryland (280), Southern Miss (282), Winthrop (282), Bryant (285), George Mason (286), Ball State (288), James Madison (288), Valparaiso (291), Appalachian State (294), Army West Point (294), and Old Dominion (295).

Troy had one of two eagles on the day for the Redbirds, while adding five birdies and 10 pars for his five-under opening-round score and is tied for fourth individually with 36 holes to play in the contest. McCulla had five birdies and 13 pars for his steady round of 68 (-4) that has him tied for ninth after the opening round.

Playing as an individual, freshman Max Faucquez had eight birdies and six pars for his three-under 69 – a career-low for the first-year golfer. Pietro Pontiggia finished with a one-under 71, including the team's other eagle, three birdies and 11 pars for a one-under 71, as TJ Barger, the reigning MVC Golfer of the Week, used four birdies and 10 pars to secure an even-par 72. Aiden Cudney shot an 80 for his first round in Puerto Rico with two birdies and nine pars.

The Redbirds tee off for the second round on Monday morning at 6:30 a.m. alongside UNCG, Temple, and UConn.

GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.

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Players Mentioned

TJ Barger

TJ Barger

Redshirt Junior
Alex McCulla

Alex McCulla

Senior
Pietro Pontiggia

Pietro Pontiggia

Junior
Will Troy

Will Troy

Graduate Student
Aiden Cudney

Aiden Cudney

Freshman
Max Faucquez

Max Faucquez

Freshman

Players Mentioned

TJ Barger

TJ Barger

Redshirt Junior
Alex McCulla

Alex McCulla

Senior
Pietro Pontiggia

Pietro Pontiggia

Junior
Will Troy

Will Troy

Graduate Student
Aiden Cudney

Aiden Cudney

Freshman
Max Faucquez

Max Faucquez

Freshman