June 17, 2008

Pittsford, N.Y. - Three weeks removed from a 17th place national finish, Illinois golfers are back on the course looking to make progress on their games. For sophomore Chris DeForest, one of the top drivers in the country, the focus has been on consistency.

DeForest's focus has paid early dividends with a second-place finish at the 68th Monroe Invitational in Pittsford, N.Y. He climbed steadily up the leaderboard throughout the tournament, finishing with a 68 and a 70 in the final two rounds. Clemson's Phillip Mollica won the tournament with a six-under par 274. DeForest tied Maryland's Chris Gold for second at even par 280 followed by Penn State's Kevin Foley and Clemson's David May at +2.

"Overall I played solid golf," DeForest said. "I kept that ball in play and didn't have a three-putt for the entire tournament. Once I picked up the speed and undulation of the greens, I was able to make some birdies."

DeForest has spent the past few summers playing junior events and says there was a slight, yet noticeable difference in the level of competition this weekend. "It's a little higher," he said. "You're facing more experienced players."

DeForest said that he and the rest of his teammates are energized by the performance in the big tournaments down the stretch. That has motivated him to work this summer. In seven rounds of competitive golf this month, DeForest has shot 67-70-69-71-71-68-70, proving his consistency is coming around.

"The courses weren't as tough as the national course, but I've avoided the doubles and triples," he said. "That makes a huge difference in your round. Everything thing I'm doing this summer and even throughout our fall team season is to prepare us for success in the spring. We now know what it takes to get there and it starts with hard work during the off-season."

Stricker, Points make cut at U.S. Open
Illinois graduates Steve Stricker and D.A. Points each made the cut at this weekend's U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. Stricker just made the cut at +7 through 36 holes, then played the final two rounds at +1 to tie for 29th at +8 (292) Points, meanwhile, playing in his first U.S. Open, was tied for 20th through 36 holes with rounds of 74 and 71, before finishing 70th at +15 (299).

Langley, Jacobs, Guthrie prepare for Western Junior
Illinois' sophomore Scott Langley and incoming freshmen Luke Guthrie and Mason Jacobs are playing in this weekend's Western Junior Championship at Sea Island Golf Club in Simons Island, Ga. Guthrie shot a 69 in the third-round at last weekend's Footjay Invitational AJGA event and played most of the weekend inside the top 20. He is ranked 11th by the AJGA and 15th by Golfweek among junior golfers.