May 5, 2002
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Despite a 6-under-par 66 from junior Scott Harrington (Portland, Ore./Jesuit) on Sunday, Northwestern's men's golf team was unable to extend its string of Big Ten championships to four and finished fourth overall. The Wildcats, who shot 11-over for the tournament and 7-over on Sunday, finished behind 23rd-ranked Minnesota (even), 38th-ranked Illinois (+4) and 21st-ranked Purdue (+5). The Golden Gophers shot a 3-under 285 to overtake Purdue, the leader after the first three rounds.
Northwestern did place ahead of Michigan State and Ohio State, two teams that are ranked higher than the Wildcats. Those results should help NU in its search for an NCAA regional playoff appearance. Playoff berths will be announced on Monday.
While the Wildcats displayed outstanding balance in Friday's first two rounds, only Harrington could continue the strong start. He shot 8-under-par for the final 36 holes and finished second overall, two strokes behind medalist Eric Jorgensen of Michigan State. Harrington's 66 was the best round by any Wildcat this year and the best of his career. For his performance, he was named to the All-Big Ten Tournament team.
For the 72 holes, Harrington (69-77-70-66=282) finished with three eagles (two on Sunday), 12 birdies, eight bogeys and two double bogeys. It was his second second-place finish in his last three tournaments.
Senior Chris Thayer (Richmond, Va./Godwin) tied for 22nd at 6-over-par (75-69-75-75=294), while sophomore Tom Johnson (Fair Oaks, Calif./Del Campo) tied for 27th (70-75-75-76=296). Junior Bjorn Widerstedt (Vasteras, Sweden/Flagler College) and sophomore Casey Strunk (Phoenix, Ariz/Thunderbird) tied for 38th and 40th, respectively. Widerstedt was 11-over (77-68-76-78=299) while Strunk was 12-over (75-71-76-78=300).
For a complete list of results, visit the Big Ten web site, www.bigten.org, or www.golfstatlive.com.
2002 BIG TEN MEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS Final Results -- Finkbine Golf Course (par 72, 7,002 yards) May 3-5, 2002 -- Iowa City, Iowa1 Minnesota, Univ. of E F -3 294 278 295 285 1152 2 Illinois, U. of +4 F +5 294 287 282 293 1156 3 Purdue University +5 F +8 279 289 293 296 1157 4 Northwestern +11 F +7 289 283 296 295 1163 5 Michigan State U. +14 F +5 291 291 291 293 1166 6 Indiana University +15 F +12 293 287 287 300 1167 7 Ohio State Univ. +16 F +5 295 285 295 293 1168 8 Michigan, U. of +18 F +10 294 284 294 298 1170 9 Iowa, U. of +20 F +5 291 286 302 293 1172 10 Penn State U. +28 F +8 302 295 287 296 1180 11 Wisconsin, U. of +51 F +13 297 300 305 301 1203