Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Marshall Invitational
Nationally-Ranked Illinois Leads Marshall Invitational Through Two Rounds
4/3/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
April 3, 2009
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -
Standings and Statistics Through Two Rounds in PDF Format 
The University of Illinois shot rounds of 296 and 279 to take a four-stroke lead over Ball State University after two rounds of the Marshall Invitational, Friday. The Illini's Zach Barlow leads the field after firing rounds of 74 and 66 at the Par 71 Guyan Golf and Country Club.
Golfers battled rain that was heavy at times through most of the morning and winds that gusted to nearly 30 miles per hour. Despite the adverse weather conditions, there were no delays.
Richmond recorded a first round-best score of 291 (+7) to take a four-stroke lead over Ball State (295). However, the 15th-ranked and defending Marshall Invitational Champion Illini shot an impressive second round score of 279 to take the top spot through two rounds. Barlow fired a five-under par 66, while Chris DeForest added a four-under 67 to propel Illinois into first.
With one round to play Illinois leads the field at 575, followed by Ball State at 579, Xavier at 583, DePaul at 584 and Richmond at 587.
Marshall's Nathan Kinker, a senior from Barboursville, shot rounds of 76 and 72 and currently sits in at tie for 26th place. The host Thundering Herd recorded was in 14th following the first round of action, however rebounded to shoot the sixth-best team score of the second round to finish the day in 11th place among the 16-teams at 601.
The third and final round of the tournament is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Saturday with the first groups teeing off of holes one and ten. The local weather forecast is calling for sunny skies with highs in the low 60's for tomorrow's final round.
