Huskers in Ninth After Snowy Day in Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa -  The Nebraska men’s golf team shot 316 in the first round of the Hawkeye – Taylor Made Invitational on Saturday, which puts the Huskers in ninth place with 18 holes to play.

The tournament has been shortened to 36 holes due to snowy conditions on Saturday morning, in which the wind chill marked as low as 26 degrees. The final round is still scheduled to tee off Sunday morning, with a 9 a.m. shotgun.

The Huskers’ 316 total after the opening 18 holes puts them 19 shots off the pace, set by Big 12 rival Missouri. Tournament host Iowa is one shot behind the Tigers, after compiling 298 strokes, while NU sits in ninth place.

Neil Dufford led the scoring for the Huskers at Finkbine Golf  Course with a 5-over-par 77 in the first round. The sophomore is in a seven-way tie for 20th. Dufford shot 38 on the front nine and 39 on the back nine, which puts him seven shots off the lead.

Brett Nymeyer and Mike Coatman each produced 79s on the first day, putting the seniors in a tie for 32nd overall. Nymeyer has broken 80 in 11 consecutive rounds for the Huskers, dating back to the Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate. Coatman’s round was highlighted front nine 36, which included two birdies.

Andrew Wyatt, playing in the No. 1 position for the Huskers, posted 81 on Saturday. The senior, who leads the team in season stroke average, is tied for 46th. The 9-over-par round marked Wyatt’s first time not breaking 80 during the 2010-11 campaign, a span of 30 rounds.

Sitting in a tie for 49th is junior Scott Willman, who finished with a 10-over-par 82. Willman, who is second on the team in stroke average, carded back-to-back 41s in Saturday’s opening round. In addition to Wyatt, Saturday’s round marked the first time this season that Willman failed to break 80, also compiled over 30 rounds.

Missouri’s Nick Wilson led the scoring with a 2-under-par 70 in the first round. Iowa’s Vince India is one shot off the pace with 18 holes to play after a 71, while North Texas’ Carlos Ortiz sits in third place alone, with a 73 on Saturday. 

Play resumes with a 9 a.m. (Central Time) shotgun start on Sunday. Check Huskers.com for final results from the Hawkeye Invitational.

Hawkeye – Taylor Made Invitational
April 16-17, 2011
Finkbine Golf Course
Iowa City, Iowa
Par 72 – 7,180 yards

Team Leaderboard
1. Missouri – 297
2. Iowa – 298
3. North Texas – 304
4. Kansas – 308
5. Charlotte – 309
6. Wichita State – 312
7. Kansas State – 313
8. Eastern Michigan – 315
9. Nebraska – 316
10. Miami (Ohio) – 317
11. Iowa State – 318 

Nebraska Scores
T-20. Neil Dufford – 77 (38-39)
T-32. Brett Nymeyer – 79 (39-40)
T-32. Mike Coatman – 79 (36-43)
T-46. Andrew Wyatt – 81 (40-41)
T-49. Scott Willman – 82 (41-41)