Sept. 11, 2011
Wayzata, Minn. - The men's golf team opened the 2011-12 season at the Gopher Invitational at the Spring Hill Golf Club on Sunday, completing two rounds with a 16-over-par score of 603 (299-304). The Nittany Lions enter the final round of play in 11th place.
Junior Ernesto Marin (Miami, Fla.) led the way for Penn State carding a 149 total, which consisted of six birdies and nine bogeys. Marin sits tied for 27, having dropped seven places on the player leaderboard from the first round. Senior Tommy McDonagh (East Norwalk, Conn.) came out strong in the first round, shooting a 2-under-par 70 with five birdies and three bogeys. In the afternoon round, McDonagh added 11 strokes to his first-round score, giving him a 9-over-par 81 to finish the first day of competition tied for 37 with a 151 (70-81) total.
After getting acquainted with the collegiate golf atmosphere in the first round, sophomore Shane Stewart (Dublin, Ohio) was able to improve his score by four strokes in the second round. Stewart posted a 152 (78-74), placing him tied for 40. Juniors Anthony DeGol (Hollidaysburg, Pa.) and Jay Woodward (Bridgeport, W.Va.) round out the Penn State lineup with scores of 156 (77-79) and 159 (83-76), respectively. Woodward improved seven strokes between rounds to bump him up nine slots on the player leaderboard, tying him for 61. DeGol carded eight bogeys and four birdies in the two rounds, placing him tied for 56.
Notre Dame leads the field of 14 with a 1-over-par 577 (282-295). Junior Paul McNamara leads the way for the Irish with a 5-under-par 139 (66-73). McNamara sits in first, just one stroke ahead of Iowa's Barrett Kelpin.
Tee times for the final round will begin Monday at 8:30 a.m. (CT). For live updates visit GolfStat.