Illinois leaned on depth and consistency to claim the Duck Invitational title, pulling away late at Eugene Country Club.
The No. 9 Illini finished at 5-over 857 (286-281-290) to secure a 10-shot victory, earning their third team title of the season and a second Duck Invitational win in the past three years. The result adds to earlier victories at the Windon Memorial Classic and Hal Williams Collegiate.
Host and defending champion Oregon finished runner-up at 15-over, while Michigan State placed third at 16-over, one shot further back.
Individually, Illinois junior Max Herendeen delivered a standout performance, claiming medalist honors at 11-under 202 (67-69-66) while competing as an individual. The victory marked his fourth collegiate title, and he was the only player in the field to shoot under par in all three rounds.
Oregon’s Aiden Krafft finished solo second at 6-under 207 (66-71-70), while Illinois sophomore Freddie Turnell and Michigan State’s Ashton McCulloch shared third at 2-under 211.
Illinois also placed three lineup players inside the top 10. Turnell led the group with a T-3 finish, followed by sophomore Trey Marrion at T-5 (1-over 214; 71-71-72) and senior Ryan Voois at T-7 (2-over 215; 72-69-74). Sophomore Jake Birdwell, competing as an individual, matched Voois at T-7 (72-74-69).
Statistically, Illinois separated itself on the par-3s, leading the field at 5-over, and tied Oregon State for the most birdies with 45.