April 23, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Northwestern made a run at the Fossum/Spartan Invitational title, holding a slim lead early on in Sunday's final round. But the Wildcats could not maintain their lead and finished in a fifth-place tie with Denver with a 13-over 877 (297-284-296).
Junior Chris Wilson (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) led the 'Cats with a career-best second-place finish. He recorded a 2-under 214 (70-68-76) and shared the second-place spot with Minnesota's Bronson La'Cassie. Wilson's second-round 68, which gave him a share of the lead after 36 holes, equaled his career-best single round.
Junior David Merkow (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead Union) narrowly missed his seventh top-20 showing of the year. He carded a 3-over 75 on Sunday and finished 22nd at 6-over (80-67-75). Sophomore Kyle Moore (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto) also shot a 3-over 75 for the third round and was 22nd, as well (76-71-75=222).
Senior Dillon Dougherty (Woodland, Calif./Woodland) closed the tourney with a 2-over 74 and placed 36th (75-78-74=227). Sophomore Dan Doyle (Rochester, Mich./Stoney Creek) turned in the 'Cats' best Sunday round, carding an even-par 72 to finish 43rd (76-80-72=228).
Indiana, which figures to be one of the contenders at this week's Big Ten Championships, along with Northwestern and Minnesota, won the Fossum Invitational with a 6-over 870. The Gophers placed second while Xavier and Illinois tied for third, two strokes ahead of the 'Cats and Pioneers.
Final results can be found at Fossum Invitational.