Huskers Tie for Eighth at Hawkeye Invitational

Iowa City, Iowa – The Nebraska men’s golf team improved by 20 shots in the second round of the rain-shortened Hawkeye – Taylor Made Invitational on Sunday, which gave the Huskers a tie for eighth place result.

 The Huskers followed up Saturday’s first round score of 316 with a 296 in the second round, putting their 36-hole total at 612. NU, who tied with Miami (Ohio), finished 23 shots behind team champion and tournament host Iowa. Charlotte and Missouri tied for second at Finkbine Golf Course, each finishing three shots behind the Hawkeyes.

Mike Coatman led the Huskers in the tournament, tying for 20th individually. His 1-over-par 73 in the second round put his two-round total at 152. Coatman’s balanced round on Sunday included two birdies, three bogeys and 13 pars. The top-25 result marks his best finish in three tournaments, dating back to the Jackrabbit Invitational, where he tied for fifth.

Fellow senior Brett Nymeyer followed his first round 79 with a second round 74. Nymeyer, who had four birdies on the day, tied for 29th overall. The finish marks his fourth consecutive top-30 result.

Scott Willman posted the lowest Husker score in the second round, pacing his way to an even-par 72. His eagle on the par-5 sixth hole led to a 1-under-par 35 on the front nine, followed by a 37 on the back nine. Willman tied for 33rd and improved by 10 shots from the first round.

Neil Dufford carded a 78 in the second round, which put his 36-hole total at 155. The sophomore tied for 37th as the best four Husker finishers separated by one shot each. Dufford, who has started every tournament for the Huskers this spring, improved on his tie for 51st finish at the Mizzou Intercollegiate, his last time out.

Andrew Wyatt closed out the Husker scoring with a 77 on day two. The senior used 13 pars in his second round, which put him in a tie for 50th. Wyatt finished with an 81 in the first round, putting his two-day total at 158.

Iowa’s Vince India and Charlotte’s Andy Sajevic shared medalist honors, firing 2-under-par 142 for the tournament. India matched his first round 71 in the second round, leading the Hawkeyes to victory. Sajevic, a Fremont, Neb., native, shot a 5-under-par 67 on Sunday, following his first round score of 75.

The Huskers return to the course April 25-27 as they make their final stand as a member of the conference at the Big 12 Championship in Hutchinson, Kan.

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

Final Team Results
1. Iowa – 589 (298-291)
T-2. Charlotte – 592 (309-283)
T-2. Missouri – 592 (297-295)
4. Wichita State – 596 (312-284)
5. North Texas – 599 (304-295)
6. Kansas – 603 (308-295)
7. Kansas State – 611 (313-298)
T-8. Nebraska – 612 (316-296)
T-8. Miami (Ohio) – 612 (317-295)
10. Eastern Michigan – 615 (315-300)
11. Iowa State – 622 (318-304)

Nebraska Results
T-20. Mike Coatman – 152 (79-73)
T-29. Brett Nymeyer – 153 (79-74)
T-33. Scott Willman – 154 (82-72)
T-37. Neil Dufford – 155 (77-78)
T-50. Andrew Wyatt – 158 (81-77)