Racers outpace 12-team field, win opening tournament

Story by Keith Jaco

rjaco@murraystate.edu

Staff writer

Murray State’s men’s golf team placed first in the MSU Invitational on Tuesday afternoon at Miller Memorial Golf Course in Murray, Kentucky.

The Racers captured back-to-back wins after leaving victorious from this event just one year ago.  

The Racers played three rounds between Monday and Tuesday, scoring 282, 282 and 279 for a total score of 843. Close behind the Racers was second place Morehead State University with a score of 847, followed by Delta State, rounding out the top three with a score of 857.

On Monday, Murray State was led by Racer newcomer James Boone, a sophomore from Murray, Kentucky, who shot the low for round one with a 67. 

Junior Austin Knight from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, played three solid rounds this week for the Racers. Knight posted scores of 68, 70 and 70 in three rounds to take home third place in the tournament. Despite holding the lead going into round three, Knight settled for a third-place finish after scoring a 68 on Tuesday afternoon.

Junior Justin Wendling, from Lithia, Florida, and senior Gabe Wheeler, from Sikeston, Missouri, each shot complete rounds for the Racers, as they both managed to crack the top-15 on Tuesday. Wendling shot 68, 74 and 70 for a total of 212, earning a 10th place spot. Wheeler followed closely behind with scores of 69, 70 and 74 for a total of 213, giving him a share of 13th place.

Head Coach Eddie Hunt was pleased to see his team get off to a good start this fall.

“We played really well as a team,” Hunt said. “Austin Knight had another good tournament and that makes us excited to see what else he does this year.”

Hunt believes the key to success this season is playing together and consistency.

“We have to use this tournament going forward,” Hunt said. “Playing together as a team is going to be important in doing well down the stretch, and we have to remember what we did well this week in order to succeed in future events.”

The Racers will travel to Richmond, Kentucky, on Saturday, Sept. 15 to face off in the EKU Classic.

 








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