April 29, 2006
Big Ten Men's Golf Championships Results (Through Three Rounds)
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Big Ten Men's Golf Championships (Day Two Quotes)Download Free Acrobat Reader
Round Four Tee TimesDownload Free Acrobat Reader
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The 2006 Big Ten Men's Golf Championships has turned into a six-team battle for the title and the top-seeded, 31st-ranked Northwestern Wildcats find themselves in the thick of the fight as third-round play concluded Saturday afternoon at Conway Farms Golf Club.
Weather in the form of cool temperatures, drizzle and wind provided the par-71 course with some protection from the low scores witnessed on Friday, but some total records still fell.
The 'Cats shot a team score of 291 (7-over par) on Saturday and find themselves in third place with a three-round total of 859 (282-286-291), three shots behind leader Indiana and only one shot behind second place Michigan State. All three teams broke the 54-hole Conway Farms collegiate record of 861 set by Pepperdine in the 1997 NCAA Championships.
Minnesota sits three shots behind the 'Cats in fourth, Purdue is five behind Northwestern in fifth and Illinois is four more back in sixth.
The Gophers posted the best team score of the day with a 280 (4-under) with the Hoosiers close behind at 283.
Michigan State's Ryan Brehm hung on to his first day lead and has been the championships' wire-to-wire leader. Brehm shot a 1-under 70 on Saturday to push his score to a 7-under 206, tying Keith Nolan's 54-hole Conway Farms collegiate record. Last year's Big Ten Freshman of the Year currently holds a two-shot lead over Purdue's Pariya Junhasavasdikul.
Reigning Big Ten Player of the Week Chris Wilson (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) continued his solid play, shooting an even-par round of 71 to tie for the Wildcats' best score on Saturday. Wilson started the day in fifth but has now moved up to a tie for third, five shots behind Brehm.
Also moving up the leaderboard on this tough Saturday was senior Dillon Dougherty (Woodland, Calif./Woodland). Dougherty shot an even-par 71 to tie Wilson and move into a tie for 10th place at 3-over par 216.
Dan Doyle (Rochester, Mich./Stoney Creek) provided the Wildcats with a solid third score of 74 and maintained his position from yesterday. The sophomore is tied for 27th at 10-over par 223.
Rounding out the team scoring was the 'Cats David Merkow (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead Union). Merkow shot a 4-over 75 and currently sits one shot behind Doyle in 30th place with a 54-hole total of 224.
After an excellent 36 holes on Friday, Kyle Moore (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto) had a rougher go of things on Saturday. A 9-over 80 pushed Moore to a tie for 14th at 4-over 217 (65-72-80).
Sunday should prove to be full of fireworks as six teams are within 12 shots of the lead. Play will begin off both the first and 10th tees at 8 a.m. CT.
The Wildcats' quest for the Big Ten Championship begins on hole one when Merkow tees off at 8:50 a.m. Doyle (9 a.m.), Moore (9:10 a.m.), Dougherty (9:20 a.m.) and Wilson (9:30 a.m.) will follow Merkow's lead.
To follow the tournament live, visit Big Ten Men's Golf Championships. Other tournament information can be found at Big Ten Men's Golf Championships and Northwestern Men's Golf Championships site.
Admission and parking to Sunday's final round is free.