ROSEMONT – Fighting Illini junior Bryan Baumgarten was named Big Ten Golfer of the Week on Wednesday as announced by the conference office. Baumgarten led Illinois 34th Annual Louisiana Classics this week as he tied for a runner-up finish in the tournament. He carded a 5-under par 67 in the final round of play to climb the individual leaderboard and help Illinois to a second-place team finish. The honor marks the third for Baumgarten in his career and the third for an Illini this season.
Baumgarten has led Illinois in three of five stroke play tournaments this season, and he has earned three finishes among the top five individuals. While battling difficult conditions, the Granite Bay, California, native recorded 13 birdies during the 54-hole tournament in Lafayette, Louisiana this week, also playing 45 of 54 holes at or under par.
Next up, Baumgarten and the Illini will travel to Las Vegas, Nevada for the Southern Highlands Collegiate March 3-5. Held at Southern Highlands Golf Club, the tournament is set to welcome several of the nations' best collegiate programs, including 10 teams ranked among the top 30 in the latest Golfstat team rankings.
