April 16, 2011
Columbia, Mo. -
Missouri Golf continues to prove it is one of the nation's most improved programs in 2011. Head Coach Mark Leroux's club had won four consecutive tournaments heading into the weekend and is now in position for an unprecedented fifth straight victory, as the Tigers hold a one-shot lead over No. 11 Iowa at the 2011 Iowa Hawkeye-TaylorMade Invitational in Iowa City, Iowa.
Originally scheduled to be a 54-hole event at the par-72 Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City, Missouri (297) has secured an early lead over the host Hawkeyes (298) and No. 38-ranked North Texas (304) despite playing in cold, blustery conditions.
Nick Wilson leads the tournament after one day of play with a 2-under-par 70. The Rocheport, Mo., native shot an impressive 33 on the front side of Finkbine, highlighted by an Eagle-three on the par-5 sixth hole. The junior is just 18 holes removed from his first victory as a Tiger heading into Sunday's finale.
Missouri had each of its four scorers place in the Top 10 on Saturday. Stuart Ballingall shot a 3-over-par 75 to tie for fifth, while Emilio Cuartero and Jace Long shot identical rounds of 76 to tie for ninth. Long is in search of his fourth consecutive victory this spring.
Iowa's Vince India and North Texas' Carlos Ortiz are just behind Wilson in the individuals standings with rounds of 71 and 73 respectively.
Action at the 2011 Iowa Hawkeye -TaylorMade Invitational continues Sunday morning at 9 a.m. with the final round.
Team Standings (18 Holes)
1. Missouri 297
2. #11 Iowa 298
3. #38 North Texas 304
4. Kansas 308
5. Charlotte 309
6. Wichita State 312
7. Kansas State 313
8. Eastern Michigan 315
9. Nebraska 316
10. Miami (Ohio) 317
11. Iowa State 318
Individual Leaders (18 Holes)
1. Nick Wilson, Missouri 70 (-2)
2. Vince India, Iowa 71 (-1)
3. Carlos Ortiz, North Texas 73 (+1)
4. Dan Waite, Kansas 74 (+2)
T5 Stuart Ballingall, Missouri 75 (+3)
T5 Bradley George, Iowa 75 (+3)
T5 Andy Sajevic, Charlotte 75 (+3)
T5 Ty Spinella, North Texas 75 (+3)
T9 Emilio Cuartero, Missouri 76 (+4)
T9 Jace Long, Missouri 76 (+4)
T9 Nine others tied at 76 (+4)
Missouri Individuals (18 Holes)
1. Nick Wilson 70
T5 Stuart Ballingall 75
T9 Emilio Cuartero 76
T9 Jace Long 76
T32 Will Harrold 79