March 7, 2012

PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Senior Luke Guthrie was named Big Ten Golfer of the Week following his top-five finish at the Louisiana Classics, announced Wednesday by the conference office. The Quincy, Ill., native tied for fourth at 4-under (212), marking his second-best 54-hole score during the 2011-12 season. He picked up the 12th top-five finish of his career and has recorded 12 straight rounds of even-par or better dating back to the fall season.

Guthrie, who earned the award for the fifth time in his career, opened the event with a 69 followed by a 71 in the second round and a final round 72 at the Oakbourne Country Club. This is the fourth conference accolade picked up by an Illini golfer during the 2011-12 season and second for Guthrie, who also nabbed it on Oct. 5, 2011 following his career-best victory at the D.A. Weibring Invitational.

Illinois will be off for a couple weeks before returning to action at the Borona Collegiate Cup in San Diego, Calif., from March 22-23.