No. 8 Illinois delivered an impressive showing in the Las Vegas desert this past week, finishing third at the Southern Highlands Collegiate against one of the toughest fields in college golf. Illinois trailed only No. 1 Virginia and No. 2 Auburn while finishing ahead of No. 3 Florida and No. 4 Texas in a tournament that featured seven top-25 teams.
The Illini sent six golfers out west, with junior Ethan Wilson being the lone individual competing in the field.
Illini open tournament steady in Round 1
The squad opened Sunday with a team score of 287 to start the tournament in a tie for seventh place. On the par-72 course, sophomore Trey Marrion and junior Dane Huddleston led the way for the Illini that day. They were the only players to shoot under par, posting rounds of 69 and 71. Junior Max Herendeen and senior Ryan Voois added rounds of 73 and 74, while sophomore Freddie Turnell shot 76.
Huddleston leads strong second day climb
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The second day saw a worse score for the Illini but a bump in the leaderboard as the rest of the field struggled. The Illini stayed pretty consistent, shooting a 289 as a team.
Huddleston had a huge day for the team, shooting a 2-under 69 to move up to sixth in the leaderboard. Marrion stayed the course, posting an even par 72. Voois matched him with an even round as well. Turnell and Herendeen continued to battle through the tough course conditions, posting a 76 and 77, respectively.
By the end of the day, the Illini had moved up to fourth in the field’s standings.
Illinois fires best round Tuesday
The Illini brought their best golf in the final round Tuesday, posting a 4-under 284 to match the lowest team score of the day.
Marrion continued his hot streak, tying his career best 54-hole score. He carded a final round 70 to finish 5-under for the tournament to tie for fifth and take the top spot for the Illini.
Herendeen’s square par final round bumped him to a seventh-place finish. Voois improved each day of the tournament, finishing with a 1-under round in the final round to place 18th.
And after opening with back-to-back 76s, Turnell found his rhythm on the final day, posting a 71 as well.
Herendeen’s 75 closed out the day for the Illini as they found themselves on the medal board with a third-place finish.
Illini stay out west for Pauma Valley Invitational
The Illini will stay out west this week, heading to Southern California for the Pauma Valley Invitational hosted by Loyola Marymount from March 16-18. Illinois shot 10-under and finished fourth at the event last season.
