Iowa State celebrates Badger Invitational victory
(Iowa State Athletics Photo)
MADISON, WI (September 13, 2016) -- On the final day of the Badger Invitational Iowa State ran away from the field and turned a three-stroke lead into a 10-stroke win. Playing at the University Ridge Golf Course the Cyclones finished 12-under, while it Nevada finishing a distant second at 2-under.
Iowa State was led by seventh place finisher Denzel Ieremia. The junior completed play 4-under following rounds of 71-71-70. During his final day 2-under 70 Iermiaa, a junior from New Zealand, birdied four holes and bogeyed two. The birdies came on Nos. 2, 8, 12 and 16.
In all three Cyclones finished in the top-16; senior Nick Voke was tied for eighth at 2-under, fellow senior Ruben Sondjaja was 11th at 1-under while freshman Tripp Kinney completed his collegiate debut 1-over in a tie for 16th.
The medalist race was waged between Wofford teammates Andrew Novak and Jeremy Grab. When the day began Grab led by one, however an even-par round left him at 7-under. Given an opportunity Novak capitalized with a 2-under 70 to finish 8-under and ahead by one.
For Novak, who won two-times last year, the title marked his first of the 2016-217 campaign. Novak was able to move to the top of the leaderboard thanks to a three birdie, one bogey day. The round began very slowly with 10 straight pars. However, three back nine birdies and his lone bogey proved to be just enough.
At the start of the day it looked as Grab was going to surge as he birdied No. 1 but that opening birdie proved to be just one of two on the day. Grab ended up also bogeying two holes.
The team standings concluded with Wofford (+5) in third while three other teams; Marquette, Illinois State and Wisconsin tied for third at 6-over.
ROUND ONE RECAP
Iowa State shot an even-par second round at the Badger Invitational to remain 2-under. The Cyclones will lead Nevada (+1) by three-strokes when the final round at University Ridge Golf Course is played on Tuesday.
Iowa State has been led so far by junior Denzel Ieremia and senior Nick Voke, both of whom are 2-under and tied for fifth. Ieremia has posted rounds of 1-under 71 on each of the first two days. During Monday's round Ieremia birdied five holes, bogeyed two and double-bogeyed one.
For Voke, a 2016 All-Big 12 first teamer, it has been scores of 70-72. Voke started on the 10th hole and turned in 1-over 37 following a double-bogey on the 18th. However, on his closing nine he was able to bring it back with two birdies and a bogey on the side.
In the medalist race it is a pair of Wofford players leading the chase. Senior Jeremy Grab is 7-under and holding a one-stroke lead over fellow senior Andrew Novak who is 6-under.
After two rounds Grab has posted scores of 69-68. Grab, a two-time medalist winner at Wofford, birdied seven holes and bogeyed three on Monday.
For Novak it was his second straight 3-under 69. Novak, a 2016 All-Southern Conference performer, rolled in five birdies and two bogeys.
Behind Iowa State and Nevada in the team standings are Wofford (+2) in third, Marquette (+4) in fourth and Illinois State (+6) in fifth.
View results for Badger Invitational
ABOUT THE Badger Invitational
54-hole men's college tournament hosted by the
University of Wisconsin. Team (best four scores out
of
five players each round) and individual competitions.
View Complete Tournament Information