May 3, 2002
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- At the beginning of the year, Northwestern Head Coach Pat Goss said this year's men's golf team was as deep a squad he has coached. That depth showed up Friday when the Wildcats displayed some outstanding balance to keep themselves in the thick of the Big Ten Championships.
After two rounds, Northwestern is in second place, four strokes behind 21st-ranked Purdue (279-289=568). The Wildcats (289-283=572), who are seeking their fourth straight Big Ten title, are also tied with 23rd-ranked Minnesota (294-278=572). Iowa, the host school, is in fourth at 1-over.
All five Wildcat golfers are within two strokes of one another. Senior Chris Thayer (Richmond, Va./Godwin) shot a 3-under 69 in the second round to finish even par for the day. On the final 18 holes, Thayer totaled 13 pars, four birdies and one bogey. He is tied for 13th place, four strokes behind the individual leader, Justin Smith of Minnesota.
Sophomore Tom Johnson (Fair Oaks, Calif./Del Campo) was among the leaders much of the day until he double-bogeyed the 36th hole. Johnson, who shot 2-under in the first round, is 1-over for the tourney and tied for 19th.
The Wildcats have stayed in contention, thanks to the bottom of their lineup. Sophomore Casey Strunk (Phoenix, Ariz./Thunderbird), who has competed in just two events this year and owns a 77.00 stroke average, fired a 75 and 71 (2-over 146) to sit in 23rd place. Junior Scott Harrington (Portland, Ore./Jesuit), who shot a 69 in the first round, is also tied for 23rd place at 2-over.
Junior Bjorn Widerstedt (Vasteras, Sweden/Flagler College) came back from a disappointing first round (77) to fire a team-best 4-under 68 on the final 18. He is tied with Johnson for 19th place.
Third-round play continues Saturday morning.
Big Ten Men's Golf Championships Finkbine Golf Course (Par 72, 7,002 yards) Iowa City, Iowa1 Purdue University -8 F +1 279 289 568 T2 Minnesota, Univ. of -4 F -10 294 278 572 T2 Northwestern -4 F -5 289 283 572 4 Iowa, U. of +1 F -2 291 286 577 5 Michigan, U. of +2 F -4 294 284 578 T6 Indiana University +4 F -1 293 287 580 T6 Ohio State Univ. +4 F -3 295 285 580 8 Illinois, U. of +5 F -1 294 287 581 9 Michigan State U. +6 F +3 291 291 582 T10 Penn State U. +21 F +7 302 295 597 T10 Wisconsin, U. of +21 F +12 297 300 597