EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Junior Will McDonald (Tulsa, Okla.) fired rounds of 76 and 74 to direct the efforts of the Drake men's golf team on Monday (Sept. 8) at the SIU Edwardsville/Derek Dolenc Invitational.

On a leader board where 19 strokes separates first from 12th place, the Bulldogs recorded a 36-hole total of 604 (303-301) to sit tied for 12th place in their season-opening event.

“I thought all five of the guys played very similar to one another today,” Drake head coach Matt Lewis commented. "The guys hit a lot of good shots; we just didn't make enough birdies coupled with a couple big numbers. We hit the ball well and gave ourselves a chance; we just were not able to capitalize. The guys are a little down about how they played, but they know how quickly things can turn with a good round tomorrow. We'll have the same game plan tomorrow and hopefully we can get some more putts to fall and that can lead to a strong finish.”

Only four strokes separated the Bulldogs' five golfers with McDonald leading the way with a 150 (76-74) scorecard.

In his collegiate debut, freshman Drew Ison (Edmond, Okla.) carded a two-round total of 151 (77-74) to finish tied for 32nd place.

One shot off his pace with a 152 (75-77) scorecard was sophomore Brady Richardson (Tulsa, Okla.).

Redshirt senior Devin Leland (Huxley, Iowa) and senior Dane Worley (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) rounded out Drake's field with 36-hole marks of 153 (75-78) and 154 (78-76), respectively.

The Bulldogs conclude competition at the Derek Dolenc Invitational on Tuesday (Sept. 9) with action getting underway with an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start.

DRAKE RESULTS: Will McDonald (76-74=150/T-24th), Drew Ison (77-74=151/T-32nd), Brady Richardson (75-77=152/T-42nd), Devin Leland (75-78=153/T-51st) and Dane Worley (78-76=154/T-57th)

SIU EDWARDSVILLE/DEREK DOLENC INVITATIONAL

SEPT. 8, 2014 • EDWARDSVILLE, ILL.

36 HOLES

1) Oral Roberts – 585 (289-296=585)

2) Missouri State – 589 (297-292=589)

3) South Dakota – 592 (297-295=592)

4) SIU Edwardsville – 593 (301-292=593)

5) UT Martin – 594 (299-295=594)

6) Belmont – 595 (296-299=595)

Murray State – 595 (303-292=595)

8) Nebraska Omaha – 597 (302-295-597)

9) Bradley – 602 (304-298=602)

10) Eastern Illinois – 603 (301-302=603)

Western Illinois – 603 (304-299=603)

12) Drake – 604 (303-301=604)

Southern Illinois – 604 (299-305=604)

14) Evansville – 609 (307-302=609)

15) IPFW – 623 (311-312=623)