DeKALB, Ill. – Illinois State redshirt junior TJ Barger reached a mark not yet accomplished by a Redbird golfer, as the Bloomington native became the first golfer in program history to card a 62 for an 18-hole score, breaking the previous mark of 63 set in 2007 by Tommy Bliefnick and Joe Emerich on back-to-back days.

In the second round Barger had a bogey-free round with eight birdies and eight pars for his eight-under 62 on the par-70 course. His two-round score of 132 also set the school record for a 36-hole tournament, breaking the previous record of 135 set by Felix van Dijk in February last season.

ISU earned the team runner-up in the smaller event, as the Birds were narrowly edged out by tournament host Northern Illinois 553-to-555. Central Michigan (597), Southwestern CC (606), Aurora (607), Highland CC (623), and Chicago State (631) rounded out the seven schools in the tournament field.

The new record-holder was the individual medalist in the one-day event, while Alex McCulla (5th), Max Faucquez (7th), and Will Troy (7th) all ended with a top-10 finish in the tournament.

Barger opened his day with an even-par 70 in his first round of the day, as he had four birdies, 10 pars and four bogeys on his first time through the course. Opening on the sixth hole, his final round had birdies on the sixth, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 18th, fourth, and fifth holes, knocking in a birdie on his final hole of the day to secure the new school low mark.

McCulla had a balanced day with two rounds of 70 for his even-par 140 – now tied for the 12th-lowest 36-hole tournament score in program history – as he had a trio of birdies and a dozen pars in the first round before following with two birdies and 14 pars the second time through the circuit.

Max Faucquez and Will Troy each finished with a two-over 142, tying for seventh overall. Faucquez started his day with an even-par 70 as he had three birdies and a dozen pars, before coming back in the second round with two birdies and 13 pars. Troy had a two-under 68 to open his day as he had three birdies and 14 pars. He followed that with a four-over 74 with three birdies and 10 pars.

Playing as an individual, Pietro Pontiggia had a two-round 149 and finished 13th with rounds of 77 and 72. He opened with a seven-over 77 with four birdies and seven pars and had two birdies and a dozen pars on his two-over 72 closing round. Also, as an individual, Francis Bautista carded a 36-hole 154 using rounds of 72 and 82 and tying for 24th. Opening on the 18th hole, he started his day with four birdies over his first six holes, while also finishing strong with two birdies in his last four.

Jack Paeglow had rounds of 82 and 73 for a 155, tied for 28th. His opening round had a birdie and seven pars, before coming back with four birdies and nine pars on his second-round 73. Aiden Cudney had rounds of 83 and 77 as his 160 was tied for the 34th-best score in the field.

The Redbirds will compete in their final tournament prior to the MVC Championship with a two-day Hawkeye Invitational on Sunday April 13 and Monday April 14.

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