WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Sophomore Will McDonald (Tulsa, Okla.) turned in rounds of 75 and 73 to lead the Drake men's golf team to a 611 (314-297) scorecard after 36 holes of the Boilermaker Invitational on Saturday (April 19).
McDonald's efforts were good for a 20th-place showing with a 148 (75-73) total.
“It really started from the get-go on the first three holes as we had as poor a start as I believe we've ever had,” Drake head coach Matt Lewis commented. “It was mentally challenging and I'm proud of the way the guys battled back after that. It was a good team effort during the second round as we put ourselves in a much better position for tomorrow.”
Redshirt junior Devin Leland (Huxley, Iowa) bounced back with a second-round 73 for the Bulldogs after opening the tournament with a score of 80. He is tied for 53rd with a 153 (80-73) cumulative total.
After firing an opening-round 79, senior Matt Ohl (Milford, Iowa) carded a 75 over the afternoon round to post a 154 (79-75) scorecard, good for a tie for 63rd place.
Junior Dane Worley (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and senior Connor Steele (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) registered 36-hole marks of 160 (80-80) and 161 (85-76), respectively, to round out Drake's efforts on the day.
“Matt (Ohl) and Devin (Leland) played even after the first few holes and battled back after our start,” Lewis explained. “Will (McDonald) played a solid first round and continued it during the second as he played well and put himself in a position for a nice finish. Devin turned in a great second round and Dane (Worley) was in position for a solid second round before doubling his final hole. I thought Matt fought all day and Connor (Steele) had a nice bounce-back round.”
The Bulldogs close out their stay at the Boilermaker Invitational on Sunday (April 20). Final-round action gets underway with a shotgun start beginning at 7:45 a.m. CT.
“It was a confidence boost bouncing back as this is about as tough a course as we've played all year,” said Lewis. “It was a good challenge for the guys. We're hungry to play better tomorrow and hopefully gain some momentum heading into the MVC Tournament next week.”
DRAKE RESULTS: Will McDonald (75-73=148/T-20th), Devin Leland (80-73=153/T-53rd), Matt Ohl (79-75=154/T-63rd), Dane Worley (80-80=160/77th) and Connor Steele (85-76=161/T-78th).
BOILERMAKER INVITATIONAL
APRIL 19, 2014 • WEST LAFAYETTE, IND.
36 HOLES
1) Illinois – 581 (291-290=581)
2) Louisville – 586 (295-291=586)
3) UCLA – 588 (297-291=588)
4) Iowa – 591 (300-291=591)
5) Northwestern – 592 (296-296=592)
6) Wichita State – 593 (299-294=593)
7) Ohio State – 595 (304-291=595)
8) Michigan State – 596 (301-295=596)
Indiana – 596 (301-295=596)
10) Purdue – 597 (298-299=597)
11) Kent State – 598 (298-300=598)
12) Miami University – 601 (295-306=601)
Northern Illinois – 601 (305-296=601)
14) Toledo – 610 (304-306=610)
15) Drake – 611 (314-297=611)
