Huskers Show Great Improvement in Final Round

Pebble Beach, CA - The Nebraska men's golf team rebounded from two consecutive rounds of 307 on Monday to post a 295 in the final round of the St. Mary's Invitational on Tuesday at Poppy Hills Golf Course. The Huskers' team score of 295 was the fifth-best team score of the final round and moved the Huskers from 17th to 14th place. Nebraska finished with a team score of 909 overall. Baylor was the tournament champion, with a score of 878. UAB (882), St. Mary's, CA (883) and UT-Arlington (883) rounded out the top four teams.

Mark Pillen led the Huskers' charge on Tuesday with a career-best score of 71. Pillen, who redshirted last season, finished with a 226, tied for 36th place. Pillen, a junior, was playing in just his seventh tournament as a Husker. In addition to beating his previous low score of 75, Pillen also set a new career-low tournament score, breaking the 229 he recorded in 2004-2005 at the 49er Collegiate Classic.

Trent Price also played his best round of the tournament on Tuesday, shooting a 72 to finish at 227, tied for 41st. Mike Coatman, who led the Huskers on Monday with a second round of 72, shot an 81 to finish with a total of 230 (T-56th). Andrew Wyatt finished with a 231 (T-67th) and Chris Bruening recorded a 238 (85th). Four out of the five Husker golfers either matched or posted their best score in Tuesday's final round.

Wesley Williams of Baylor took home the individual title, shooting a 214 overall. Memphis' Ian Rochester was the runner-up, at 215.

The Huskers travel to Lawrence, Kansas next Monday and Tuesday for the Kansas Invitational, a tournament in which the Huskers tied for second last year.

Huskers' Final Results - St. Mary's Invitational
T-36 Mark Pillen (78-77-71) - 226
T-41 Trent Price (76-79-72) - 227
T-57 Mike Coatman (77-72-81) - 230
T-67 Andrew Wyatt (76-79-76) - 231
85 Chris Bruening (83-79-76) - 238