April 3, 2009

Huntington, W.V. -

Second Round results in PDF Format

Junior Zach Barlow shot a second-round 66 to take the lead at the Marshall Invitational Friday. The Percy, Ill., native also helped Illinois to a four-stroke lead after 36 of 54 holes at the par 71 Guyan Golf and Country Club in Huntington, W.V. The Illini are seeking their fourth straight Marshall Invite title.

Barlow (74-66) is at two-under par 140 through two rounds in search of his second tournament title of his career. He won the Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Invitational in September. Barlow leads Sebastian MacLean of Xavier by one stroke with Illinois freshman Mason Jacobs (73-69) two strokes back in third at even par 142, Jacobs is playing as an individual this week.

Sophomore Chris DeForest is starting to put some consistent rounds together. DeForest is in 6th place at +2 (144) after rounds of 77 and 67 on Friday, giving Illinois three players in the top six.

Illinois shot 296 in the first round, but rebounded with five-under par 279 in round two to sit at seven-over par 575, four strokes in front of second-place Ball State (579). Xavier is third at 583 followed by DePaul (584) and Richmond (587) in the 16-team field.

Illinois sophomore Scott Langley (75-72), Big Ten Golfer of the Week after last week's individual title at the FAU Spring Invitational, is in a tie for 16th at +5 (147). Junior Matt Hoffman (74-74) is in a tie for 26th at +6 (148) with freshman Luke Guthrie (73-77) in a tie for 38th at +9 (150).

Illinois is seeking its fifth tournament title of the season, which would be a new school record. The third and final round is slated for Saturday.