CARLSBAD, Calif – The No. 11-seeded Fighting Illini men's golf team is in ninth place following the team's second round of action at the NCAA Championship on Saturday at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa's North Course.
The Illini entered the day T5, but shot a team total of 297 (+9) to slide four spots down the team leaderboard with a cut down to 15 teams looming after tomorrow's third round of stroke play.
Senior Jackson Buchanan led the way for the Illini with an even-par 72 in Round 2. He is tied for 33rd at 1-over through 36 holes, with fellow Illini Ryan Voois. Voois followed his stellar opening round of 4-under 68 with a 5-over 77 in Round 2.
Sophomore Max Herendeen is even-par through two rounds to lead the way for the Illini in a tie for 25th. Herendeen matched Voois' 4-under tally in Round 1, but finished at 4-over on Saturday as the Orange and Blue teed off early but started on No. 10 and faced the more difficult back nine early in their round.
Freshman Trey Marrion continued his solid play after a slow start to yesterday's opener. Marrion was 4-over through three holes on Friday and shot 2-over the rest of the way to finish with an opening 77. Saturday, he opened with a birdie on No. 10, then battled to 3-over the rest of the way to finish behind Buchanan with the team's second-best round of 74 (+2).
Sophomore Ethan Wilson posted the Illini's fourth scoring round of the day after subbing into the lineup for freshman Jake Birdwell. Wilson finished his NCAA Championship debut with a 3-over 75.
Round 3 is slated for Sunday. The Illini, paired with No. 2 Oklahoma State and No. 3 Ole Miss, will tee off of No. 1 beginning at 7:25 a.m. PT. Live scoring are available via Clippd Scoreboard.
