University of Illinois
Augusta Haskins Award Invitational
Tadiotto Leads Illini on Day 1 of Augusta Haskins Award Invitational
April 3, 2021 | Men's Golf
AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Fighting Illini men's golf team opened play at the Augusta Haskins Award Invitational on Saturday at Forest Hills Golf Club, posting a two-round total of 559 (-17) to sit in third place. Senior Giovanni Tadiotto led the way for the Illini and is alone in second heading into Sunday's final round.
After shooting just 2-under in Round 1, the Illini carded the second-lowest score of the day, 15-under 273, in Round 2 to jump from fifth into third place, two strokes behind second-place Oklahoma State (557). Pepperdine leads the way at 28-under after rounds of 272 and 276. Notre Dame is just behind the Illini at 16-under, followed by Virginia Tech (-12) to round out the top five of the team standings after 36 holes.
"I was proud of the way we finished off that second round; that salvaged the day," head coach Mike Small said. "We had a few rough spots during the day - the end of the first round was one of them - but the way we finished and the way we played the afternoon round made me very happy. It helped offset some rough spots that we all had during the day."
Tadiotto tallied 11 birdies on the day, shooting 69-67 -- 136 (-8) to match his low 36-hole total for the season. He is four strokes back of individual leader Dylan Menante of Pepperdine with 18 holes remaining, and was one of only three competitors in the 75-player field to shoot back-to-back rounds in the 60s on Saturday, joining Menante (67-65--123) and Pepperdine teammate Joey Vrzich (69-68--137).
"Gio is swinging well and his short game is really strong," Small added. "He only made three bogeys all day. He stands in second place and played solid to get there. He was on the offensive all day, was putting pressure on the golf course most of the day with his driver, and that's the key for him."
Junior Adrien Dumont de Chassart and sophomore Jerry Ji finished the day in a tie for 18th, and contributed to the Illini's Round 2 ascension with solid afternoon performances. Dumont de Chassart closed with a 68 in Round 2 after an opening 73. Ji shot even-par in Round 1, and followed with a 3-under 69 in Round 2.
Michael Feagles also bounced back from a lackluster Round 1. The senior jumped 13 spots up the leaderboard into a tie for 22nd with a 3-under 69 in Round 2 to follow his opening 73, while junior Tommy Kuhl (72-72—146) is tied for 41st.
Tee times for Sunday's third round are slated to begin at 8 a.m. ET/7 a.m. CT. The Illini, grouped with the Waves, Cowboys and Fighting Irish, tee off beginning at 9:25 a.m. ET/7:25 a.m. CT. Live scoring will be available at GolfStat. Round 3 will also include streaming coverage beginning at 10 a.m. ET/9 a.m. CT.
| Place | Player | RD1 | RD2 | RD3 | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Illinois | 286 | 273 | - | 559 (-17) |
| 2 | Giovanni Tadiotto | 69 | 67 | - | 136 (-8) |
| T18 | Adrien Dumont de Chassart | 73 | 68 | - | 141 (-3) |
| T18 | Jerry Ji | 72 | 69 | - | 141 (-3) |
| T22 | Michael Feagles | 73 | 69 | - | 142 (-2) |
| T41 | Tommy Kuhl | 72 | 74 | - | 146 (+2) |
