Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Rod Myers Invitational
Weather Interrupts Play, Shortens Rod Myers Invitational
10/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
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Rod Myers Invitational The Duke Golf Club • Durham, N.C. • NU's Place: t-9th/12 teams Golfstat.com Live Scores • 18 Hole Results  |
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DURHAM, N.C. -- Severe weather Saturday cut short the scheduled two rounds of play during the opening day at the Rod Myers Invitational hosted by Duke at The Duke Golf Club, and a threatening forecast has forced the announced shortening of the tournament to just 36 holes.
With weather limiting comeback ability, Northwestern officially sits in a ninth-place tie with Iowa at 7-over 295 following one round of play. The Wildcats are through eight holes in their second rounds and already have unofficially jumped up two spots in the team standings; NU will need to come out red hot Sunday when it completes its remaining holes in the second -- and now final -- round.
Starting on the back nine in the morning on Saturday, Northwestern again was bitten by the slow start bug that has been a challenge early in this season. NU's five players in the lineup were a combined 17-over par as a team making the turn before finishing the first round with a 6-under par second nine.
"Still battling our first round slow starts," tweeted Director of Golf and Player Development Pat Goss. "Need to be ready as soon as the bell rings! Luckily we always fight."
Fight the Wildcats did in the second round before the weather struck. With all players through at least eight holes, four of the `Cats stand at even-par in the afternoon with the exception of Negri, who is at 2-over par through 10 -- a marked difference from the 17-over mark NU put together over that same stretch in the morning.
Freshman Charles Wang (Beijing, China/Sarasota Christian School) made an early error with a triple bogey at the 181-yard par-3 12th hole during his opening round, then fought for an even-par 72. Great birdies at Nos. 1 and 2 got him back to even par but preceded a tough bogey at No. 3 when he incurred a penalty due to the ball moving after his takeaway. Still, he recovered to stuff his approach to five feet at No. 5, draining the putt to lead the Wildcats in the morning.
Senior Matthew Negri (El Cajon, Calif./Grossmont) found himself 3-over par through 12 holes in the first round before late birdies at Nos. 6 and 9 gave him a 1-over 73.
No one encompassed Northwestern's first round as much as senior Bennett Lavin (Deerfield, Ill./Deerfield). Lavin had a rough opening nine, turning in 6-over 42, before coming all the way back with a three-birdie, 3-under 33 on the front to recover for a 3-over 75.
Freshman Dylan Wu (Medford, Ore./St. Mary's School) mirrored Lavin's round somewhat, carding five bogeys during a 4-over 40 back nine in the morning. He made the turn and shot a 1-under 35 to end his opening loop tied with Lavin at 3-over 75.
Senior Josh Jamieson (St. Andrews, Scotland/High School of Dundee) was unable to find the birdie train in the morning until making a birdie at his very last, the 493-yard par-5 ninth hole, for a 4-over 76.
Competing as an individual, senior Scott Smith (Pepper Pike, Ohio/University School) opened with a 7-over 79.
The Rod Myers Invitational will conclude tomorrow, Sunday, Oct. 12, with the completion of the second round of the weather shortened, 36-hole tournament.
Northwestern - t-9th/12 • 295 (+7)
T19 - Charles Wang -- 72 (E)
T28 - Matthew Negri -- 73 (+1)
T42 - Dylan Wu -- 75 (+3)
T42 - Bennett Lavin -- 75 (+3)
T50 - Josh Jamieson -- 76 (+4)
T61 - Scott Smith -- 79 (+7)
Players in italics are competing as individuals
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