April 12, 2008

By Kyle Herm
www.SIUSalukis.com

Complete First Round Results

URBANA, Ill. - Facing harsh wind chills that fell below 30 degrees and light rain, the Saluki men's golf team shot a 313 on Saturday, and stands tied for third after 18 holes at the 11-team Fighting Illini Invitational.

The tournament was shortened to 36 holes at the par-72, 7,228-yard Stone Creek Golf Course, with 27 holes being played on Saturday and the final nine holes to be played on Sunday, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Only 18 holes were reported though after play was suspended halfway through the second round.

DePaul leads the field after shooting a 304, host team Illinois stands in second with an opening-round 309, SIU is tied with Eastern Illinois with a 313 apiece, and Illinois State and Northern Iowa round out the top five tied for fifth after each recorded a 316.

Junior Todd Obergoenner, coming off a career-best and the second-lowest 54-hole total in school history a week ago, led the Salukis in the first 18 holes with a 4-over 76, and is tied for fifth overall.

Sophomore Blake Driskell shot a 6-over 78 and is tied for 15th, sophomore Jordan Cox posted a 7-over 79 and is tied for 24th, senior captain Matt Ellis is tied for 28th after shooting an 80, and junior John Danielson shot an 85 and is tied for 49th after the opening round.

This is the final competition for SIU before heading to Davenport, Iowa for the Missouri Valley Conference Championship next Monday and Tuesday, April 21-22.