Freshman Cudney Leads Redbirds on First Day of Bearcat Invitational
CINCINNATI, Ohio – Facing the strong tournament field of the season for the Redbirds in the early portion of the season, the Illinois State men's golf team was led by freshman Aiden Cudney, who shot a four-over 146 to tie for 37th, as all five of the ISU golfers are within four strokes of each other through 36 holes.
Louisville leads the field through the opening two rounds with a six-under 562, with Kansas (566), and tournament host Cincinnati (569) standing just behind at second and third. Little Rock (572), Iowa State (573), Sam Houston State (575), Florida Gulf Coast (576), Augusta (577), BYU (577), Kentucky (577), Furman (578), Middle Tennessee (578), UNC Greensboro (580), Memphis (582), and Chattanooga (585) are just ahead of Illinois State's 588, while UCF (593), and Southern Miss (597) come in behind the 'Birds.
ISU will be golfing in the final round alongside Memphis and Chattanooga on Tuesday morning.
Freshman Aiden Cudney is tied for 35th overall individually with rounds of 71 and 75. His first round saw him record five birdies and four over-par scores to shoot an even-par 71 through the first 18 holes. For the second round he had a birdie and a dozen pars en route to shooting a four-over 75 in the second round.
Alex McCulla is tied for 52nd overall after rounds of 72 (+1) and 75 (+4). His opening round had back-to-back birdies on his fourth and fifth holes and had 13 pars for the one-over opening round. His second round also had back-to-back birdies on his second and third holes, and after 10 pars he finished with a four-over 75.
Redshirt junior TJ Barger had 13 pars over the opening 18 holes for a five-over 76, before coming back on the second round with a team-round-low 72 (+1) which included the team's only eagle on the day, two birdies and 11 pars to stand tied for 61st with 18 holes remaining in the tournament.
Pietro Pontiggia and Will Troy each have a two-round 150 (+8) and are tied for 80th overall. Pontiggia had a trio of birdies and 10 pars for an opening-round 73 (+2) before coming back with three more birdies and eight pars for a six-over 77. Troy carded an opening-round 75 (+4) with three birdies and nine pars, and answered that with a second consecutive 75 with a birdie and 13 more pars.
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Players Mentioned
- Redshirt Junior
- Senior
- Junior
- Graduate Student
- Freshman
Players Mentioned
- Redshirt Junior
- Senior
- Junior
- Graduate Student
- Freshman
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