MURRELLS INLET, S.C. With only six out of 63 players firing rounds of even par or better on Monday, low rounds were difficult to be had during the final round of the 54-hole General Jim Hackler Invitational. Like seven of the 12 teams in the field, the Kansas State men’s golf team carded its highest score of the tournament during the final round. K-State finished in fourth with a team score of 295-296-309900 (+36), 14 strokes behind host Coastal Carolina, who won the event with a score of 298-284-304886 (+22). The event was held at the par-72, 6,950-yard TPC of Myrtle Beach.

“It was a tough day for everyone,” head coach Tim Norris said. “People had to be patient today and check their ego at the door. The speed of the greens and the positioning of the pins was very challenging. I don’t think the course was unfair or tricky, it was just a very good golf course.”

Senior Matt Van Cleave garnered his fourth consecutive top-10 finish and 13th of his career, as he carded a 77-67-74218 (+2) and finished in fourth, four strokes off the pace set by Rhys Davies of East Tennessee State, who won the event with a 2-under 214. It is the sixth time in eight events that Van Cleave has led the Wildcats.

Senior Nick Schumacher earned his third straight top 20, after firing a 72-75-78225 (+9) to tie for 14th. Schumacher had 26 pars in the 54 holes played, which tied for the sixth most of all the participants. Junior Tyler Cummins carded three rounds of 77 and finished in a tie for 34th with a score of 231.

Also competing for the Wildcats were junior Ben Kern and freshman Kyle Yonke. Kern tied for 39th with a 73-77-82232. Yonke tied for 44th, as he shot a 73-80-80233.

Despite sliding from third place after the second round and into fourth, coach Norris believes the team is close to turning the corner and finishing the spring strong.

“If we can put it together and have everyone play all 54 holes, we have a chance to put together a solid spring,” Norris said. “

The Wildcats return to the links March 21-22 at the Stevinson Ranch Invitational in Stevinson, Calif. For complete tournament results, please visit Kansas State’s website at www.k-statesports.com.

Men’s Collegiate Golf
General Jim Hackler Invitational
Murrells Inlet, S.C.
TPC of Myrtle Beach
Par: 72; Yardage: 6,950

Team Scores: 1. Coastal Carolina, 298-284-304886; 2. Notre Dame, 299-294-298891; 3. Purdue, 296-290-309895; 4. Kansas State, 295-296-309900; 5. Louisville, 307-292-302901; 6. North Carolina-Wilmington, 297-300-307904; 7. East Tennessee State, 296-304-305905; 8. North Florida, 300-300-307907; 9. Pepperdine, 316-296-296908; 10. UCF, 301-300-310911; 11. Furman University, 303-304-309916; 12. Virginia Tech, 303-316-307926.

Top Individuals: T1. Rhys Davies, (ETSU) 70-73--71214 (-2); T2.Dustin Johnson, (Coast. Car) 74-69-72215 (-1); T2. Shane Sigsbee, (Notre Dame) 73-70-72215 (-1); 4. Matt Van Cleave, (K-State) 77-67-74218 (+2); T5. Tyler Brown, (North Florida) 74-70-75219 (+3); T5.Rob Langley, (Furman) 75-70-74219 (+3).

Wildcat Individuals: T14. Nick Schumacher, 72-75-78225 (+9); T39. Ben Kern, 73-77-82232 (+16); T40. Tyler Cummins, 77-77-77231 (+15); T44. Kyle Yonke, 73-80-80233 (+17).

K-StateSports Men's Golf

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