University of Minnesota Athletics
MGF: Minnesota Leads Gopher Invitational After Two Rounds
9/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
The University Minnesota men’s golf team is in the lead after two rounds of the Gopher Invitational at Spring Hill Golf Club in Wayzata, Minn. The Gophers carded rounds of 301-284=585 (+9) and hold an 11-shot over teams Purdue and Washington.
“Everyone played well and all hung in with difficult conditions, especially this morning,” head coach Brad James said. “On this golf course we must be patient. In college golf a five or 10 shot lead can turn around on one hole. So we have to keep doing what we’re doing.”
Minnesota golfers hold the top four positions on the leaderboard, led by freshman Antti Ahokas carding a second-round score of 66. Ahokas’ 66 tied PGA Tour player Tim Herron’s course record. Ahokas holed five birdies on the back nine, including three on the final four holes.
“I had a good day. I hit the ball well and only had a few problems with my short game,” the Finnish freshman said. “The greens were really difficult, but I didn’t have any poor putts during the second round.”
Ahokas shares the lead at 1-under 143 with teammates Niall Turner and Josh Persons. Turner was consistent all day firing rounds of 73 and 70. “There’s a bit of pressure on us at our home tournament,” admitted Turner, a junior from Cork, Ireland. “But the whole team played really well and we posted some really good scores. We just have to keep it up tomorrow and we should be okay.” Persons, playing as an individual, also carded rounds of 73-70=143.
Junior Bronson LaCassie shot rounds of 74 and 71 and is tied for fourth, at 1- over 145, Sophomore Michael Fiedler is tied for 33rd at 5-over 154 with two rounds of 77. Sophomore Clayton Rask rounded out the Gopher top five with a 10-over 159 and is tied for 50th.
Also playing as individuals, senior Ryan Paulson fired a second round 70 and is tied for 6th at 146 (+2). Freshman Robert Kelly is tied for 19th at 149 (+5) and freshman Victor Almstrom is tied for 33rd at 11-over 155. Freshman Patrick Datz is at 12-over 156 and is tied for 40th while freshman Andrew Paulson is tied for 54th at 16-over 160.
The final round of the tournament begins at 8 a.m., tomorrow at the par 72, 7,020-yard Spring Hill Golf Club.
Players Mentioned
