Northwestern
Big Ten Championships
'Cats Finish Eighth at Big Ten Championships
4/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
April 29, 2007
2007 Big Ten Men's Golf Championships Final Results
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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Northwestern closed out the 88th Big Ten Men's Golf Championships Sunday with a 29-over 313 and finished eighth at this year's event, which was held at Ohio State's par-71 Scarlet Course. Northwestern completed the four rounds with an 85-over 1221 (298-303-307-313).
Although the Wildcats were unable to duplicate their success of a year ago when they won the Big Ten title, the final round was one of the most exciting in Big Ten history. Minnesota overcame a nine-stroke final-round deficit to pull even with Michigan State and finish as co-champions with the Spartans. Michigan State, however, receives the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Championships as the Spartans (No. 26) hold a higher Golfweek ranking than the Gophers (No. 29).
The Gophers trailed by as many as five strokes over the back nine, but made up ground over the last three holes by shooting at even-par as MSU went 5-over in that same stretch. With a share of the team championship on the line, Minnesota's Bronson La'Cassie birdied the 18th hole while Michigan State's Matt Harmon made par, evening the team scores at 1192 each.
The Wildcats, who came into the tournament ranked No. 33, were led by senior Chris Wilson (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman), the defending Big Ten medalist. Wilson placed 14th with an 18-over 302 (74-75-76-77).
Right behind Wilson was senior David Merkow (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead Union), last year's Big Ten Player of the Year. Merkow placed 17th with a 19-over 303 (73-75-76-79).
Junior Dan Doyle (Rochester, Mich./Stoney Creek) finished 27th with a 23-over 307 (75-75-79-78) while junior Kyle Moore (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Scioto) and freshman Jonathan Bowers ended up in a 44th-place tie with 30-over 314's.
Purdue's Pariya Junhasavasdikul claimed the individual title, finishing the Championships with a 1-over 285. The senior birdied the 18th hole to finish at even-par on the day, also winning the Les Bolstad Award, given to the player with the lowest season-stroke average.
For information on the 2007 Big Ten Men's Golf Championships and final results, visit Big Ten Men's Golf Championships or Ohio State Men's Golf Championship site.
Northwestern next awaits the announcement of the NCAA Championships field, set for 5 p.m. Monday, May 7 (ncaasports.com). The Wildcats are seeking their 24th NCAA postseason bid.
Players Mentioned
