Complete Results

Sept. 18, 2007

By Kyle Herm
www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Sophomore Jordan Cox shot a final-round 4-under-par 68 to take first place individually and help lead the Southern Illinois University men's golf team to a second place finish at the JSU National Invitational in Tunica, Miss.

Cox, a Springfield, Ill. native who transferred to SIU this season from Springfield College, stood tied for 13th heading into the final 18 holes, and edged two other golfers by one stroke in the final day to win in only his second tournament as a Saluki.

His 68 is tied for third all-time for third-round scoring in school history, and was tied for the best score of the day with junior teammate Phillip Collier who participated as an individual and finished tied for second place with a 3-under-par 213.

According to Cox, the key to his success in the final round was consistency.

"I just tried to hit fairways and greens and I did a good job of keeping the ball in play," said Cox. "I only had one bogey in my last round on the 18th hole and I didn't get myself into too much trouble."

The Salukis shot a final day 1-over-par 289 to finish with a 54-hole total of 3-under-par 861, which is fifth all-time in SIU golf history. Murray State, who led after the first two rounds, finished with a final-round 282 to take first place with a score of 850.

Head coach Leroy Newton was happy with how the team played in their second tournament and can see the team gaining confidence.

"We played very well again in this tournament and we had a chance to win right up until the end, which is something you always like to have a chance at," said Newton. "We're coming together as a team and I'm happy with how we've started the season."

The Salukis were also led by junior Todd Obergoenner who recorded a final-round 73 to finish tied for fourth with a 2-under-par 214, senior Matt Ellis, who recorded a 217 and finished tied for 12th.

Junior John Danielson also finished tied for 19th with a 220, and sophomore Blake Driskell placed 22nd with a 221.

SIU has finished in second place in each of its first two fall tournaments and is off to its best start since the 2004-05 season when the team finished third and first to open the season.

In their next tournament, the Salukis travel to Chardon, Ohio to take part in the Cleveland State Invitational at the Sand Ridge Golf Course on Monday, Sept. 22 and Tuesday, Sept. 23.

The JSU National Invitational, hosted by Jackson State University, featured 11 teams and was played at the par-72, 6,823-yard Tunica National Golf Course.

FINAL TEAM RESULTS
1. Murray State University - 282 - 286 - 282 - 850 (-14)
2. Southern Illinois University - 284 - 288 - 289 - 861 (-3)
3. Tennessee-Martin - 296 - 287 - 289 - 872 (+8)
4. Tennessee Tech University - 294 - 282 - 297 - 873 (+9)
5. University of Evansville - 291 - 285 - 304 - 880 (+16)
6. Jackson State University - 295 - 296 - 312 - 903 (+40)
7. Birmingham Southern - 298 - 304 - 306 - 908 (+44)
8. Florida A&M University - 313 - 301 - 300 - 914 (+50)
9. Alabama State University - 301 - 308 - 306 - 915 (+51)
10. Centenary College - 302 - 312 - 312 - 926 (+62)
11. Arkansas-Pine Bluff - 456 - 448 - 449 - 1353 (+489)

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
1. Jordan Cox - 71 - 73 - 68 - 212 (-4)
*T2. Phillip Collier - 75 - 70 - 68 - 213 (-3)
T4. Todd Obergoenner - 69 - 72 - 73 - 214 (-2)
T12. Matt Ellis - 70 - 73 - 74 - 217 (+1)
T19. John Danielson - 74 - 70 - 76 - 220 (+4)
22. Blake Driskell - 74 - 73 - 74 - 221 (+5)
*Participated as individual