April 12, 2008

Results

URBANA, Ill. - Led by junior Ben Murphy and sophomore Tommy Bliefnick, the Illinois State men's golf team is currently tied for fifth place at the Fighting Illini Spring Invitational, hosted by Illinois at the par-72, 7,118 yard Stone Creek Golf Club. With intermittent rain and temperatures dipping into the mid 30's, the Redbirds were able to place three individuals in the top-15 while also posting a first round 316 as a team.

"The weather conditions certainly had an adverse effect on the field today," said head coach Ray Kralis. "Ben, Tommy, and Kyle posted key opening rounds for us today and all three have an opportunity to contend tomorrow."

Bliefnick and Murphy are currently tied for fifth after posting first round, 4-over-par scores of 76. Sophomore Kyle Bragg also finished day-one action in the top-15, firing a 6-over-par 78 to stand in a 15th-place tie. Sophomore Drew Miller and freshman Jeff Kellen rounded out the Redbird scoring as Miller carded an 87, while Bragg tallied an 86.

Although winter-like conditions have cut the 11-team event down to just 36 holes, Kralis feels his team has an opportunity to move up the leaderboard and contend for a win in Sunday's final round.

"We were one round away from posting a very solid team score," Kralis noted. "We are playing well half way through the final round so even with the forecast calling for tough conditions tomorrow, I feel we have a chance to make a big move."

DePaul leads the now 36-hole event after recording a first-round-team-total of 304. The Blue Demons are five strokes ahead of tournament host Illinois, who recorded a first-round-team-total of 309.

Weather permitting, final round action is set for an 8 a.m. shotgun start Sunday morning.