DORADO, P.R. – Led by the duo of TJ Barger and Max Faucquez, the Illinois State men's golf team climbed three spots – tied for the largest jump on the day – in the team standings, as the Redbirds head into the final day tied for eighth in a large field at the Dorado Beach Collegiate.
Illinois State, Southern Miss, and George Washington all climbed three spots in the tournament, which is led by Stetson with a 36-hole team score of 569. Southern Miss (573), UNCG (575), Elon (577), and Butler (578) close out the top five, with George Mason (582) and Appalachian State (594) sitting just ahead of ISU's 595. Army West Point (595) is tied with the Redbirds, with Georgia State (598), George Washington (598), Old Dominion (602), Providence (614), Temple (617), and Bryant (618) rounding out the 15 schools in the field.
The Redbirds return to the course in Puerto Rico for the third and final round tomorrow morning.
Leading the way for the Redbirds on the opening day was freshman Sam Ottwell, who shot a two-over 74 behind four birdies and eight pars. His 4.50 stroke average on his par-five's is tied for the fifth-best in the field, and he is tied for 27th place in the tournament field with 36 holes to play.
Faucquez was steady all day, as he had 15 pars, two birdies, and a bogey for his one-under round of 71. Through 36 holes, his 25 pars are tied for the ninth-most in the tournament field. Through 36 holes he has a five-over 149 and is tied for 34th place.
Barger had an up and down second round, with six birdies and eight pars for his one-under 71. At +6 through the first two rounds, his 150 is tied for 45th place.
Pietro Pontiggia and Sam Ottwell had rounds of 74 and 75 for the Redbirds. Pontiggia had a birdie and 14 pars, while Ottwell's round saw him with two birdies and 11 pars. Otwell is tied atop ISU's 36-hole scoreboard with a 149 in a tie of 34th, while Pontiggia's 151 is in 50th place in the tournament field.
Senior Francis Bautista carded a second-round 75, tied for the fourth-best on the team on the round, and his two-round 150 is tied for 45th overall. Playing as an individual, Gonzalo Cuellar carded an 81 in the second round, including one of six eagles carded by a golfer in the tournament. In all, his par-five scoring (4.50, -4) is tied for the third-best in the field. His two-round score of 155 is 67th best individually.
