April 27, 2012
FRENCH LICK, Ind. - With two rounds to go at the Big Ten Championship at the 7,152-yard, par-72 Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Resort, the Penn State men's golf team sits seventh with rounds of 308-301 (609).
Penn State sits 17 strokes behind Illinois who sits atop the team leader board with a two-round total of 592 (301-291). The Fighting Illini have a three-stroke advantage over Michigan State who holds the second place position with a score of 595 (292-303).
Illinois' Luke Guthrie captured the first place position on the individual leader board after having sat tied for second at the conclusion of the first round. Guthrie posted scores of 72-71 (143) for a two-stroke cushion over second place Sam Chien of Northwestern.
Penn State was led by freshman Jens Talbert (Little Rock, Ark.) in both rounds. Talbert paced Penn State with consistent rounds of 74 (148). He is tied for eighth on the individual leader board.
Junior Anthony DeGol (Hollidaysburg, Pa.) posted rounds of 73-77 (148). DeGol will enter the third round tied for 14th.
Senior Tommy McDonagh (East Norwalk, Conn.), junior Jay Woodward (Bridgeport, W.Va.) and freshman Xander McDonald-Smith (Rockaway Park, N.Y.) improved between rounds. McDonagh and Woodward concluded with scores of 156 to place tied for 33rd. McDonald-Smith placed tied for 39th with a 157 (81-76).
The final 36 holes will be played Saturday and Sunday with 18 holes each day. Saturday's round is slated to begin at 9:00 a.m.
Live scoring for the event is available at Golfstat. For updates on Penn State golfers, follow GoPSU_MGolf on Twitter or check GoPSUsports.com for recaps after each day.