The No. 10 Illini surged to a five-stroke victory at the Memphis Intercollegiate in Tennessee Tuesday morning behind a dominant third round.
Illinois stayed the course as the calendar turned over from March to April, firing a tournament-best 14-over-par.
The victory was the teamʼs second this season, following their win at the Steelwood Collegiate Invitational in October. It represented the 93rd team tournament win under head coach Mike Small and ensured that the Illini secured multiple team victories over each of the past five seasons.
Depth, depth, more depth
As seen all year long, the Illini are stacked from top to bottom with some of the country’s best talent. This week was no different, as the Illini finished with all six golfers inside the top 16 on the individual leaderboard.
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Junior Ryan Voois led the pack, finishing second overall, 2-over-par. Sophomores Max Herendeen (+3) and Ethan Wilson (+6) werenʼt far behind on the leaderboard. Tying for No. 12 overall were freshmen Jake Birdwell and Trey Marrion (+8). Surprisingly, the Illini’s highest-ranked golfer nationally, senior Jackson Buchanan, finished the lowest on the team with 9-over-par.
The Illini’s ability to rally in the final round showcased the depth that has defined their season. The balance of young talent and veteran leadership has kept Illinois competitive in every event this year, setting a high standard as the postseason looms.
Stiff competition
The Memphis Intercollegiate was held at the Colonial Country Club in Cordova, Tennessee. The club hosted a 54-hole tournament with a five-count-four stroke play format.
The field consisted of 15 strong programs vying for the title including host Memphis, in-state rival Illinois State and third-place-finishing Southern Mississippi.
Memphis got off to a hot start in round one, shooting even as a team. The next-best score belonged to Illinois (+10). The Illini were able to bounce back with a three-over second round, narrowing the deficit.
It wasn’t until the third and final round that the Illini stormed ahead of the field, shooting just 1-over-par. The Tigers shot the next-best final round, carding a team total of 11-over-par, their worst score of the tournament.
A look at the course
The Colonial Country Club proved to be a stern test for the field. Tight fairways and fast greens challenged even the most seasoned players. The course’s layout rewarded precision over power, which played into the Illini’s strengths, namely their strategic approach.
Windy conditions on Tuesday morning added an extra layer of difficulty, but Illinois adapted better than its competitors. They posted the only single-digit team score of the final round. This adaptability could serve the team well as they head into the final stretch of their spring schedule.
Up next
Illinois will have a quick turnaround before traveling to Augusta, Georgia, for the Augusta Haskins Award Invitational this Saturday. The event is hosted by Augusta University at Forest Hills Golf Club — just miles from Augusta National Golf Club — and finishes Sunday, as Masters Week gets underway.
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