HOLLISTER, Mo. ? Senior Ryan Saurs returned from an injury that kept him from competing in the first two tournaments of the Spring and tied a season-best with a one-under par 70 to lead the Bradley men's golf team to a ninth place finish after day one of the Branson Creek Invitational at the par-71 Branson Creek Golf Club.
Saurs had a strong spring debut, carding a 70 in the first round and was tied for fourth in the individual standings after 18 holes of play. He carded a 77 in the afternoon and finished the day tied for 14th at 147.
Senior Scott Phegley extended his streak of rounds in the 70's to 27, firing rounds of 78 and 72 during Monday's play and heads into Tuesday's final round tied for 21st at 150. Junior Tommie Ackerman is tied for 45th after 36 holes at 157, after turning in rounds of 77 and 80.
Junior Nick Roth also had a strong opening round, firing a 73 but followed with an 84 later in the day and is currently tied with Ackerman for 45th at 157. Freshman Zach Wanken rounded out the scoring with rounds of 82 and 79 and is tied for 53rd at 161.
The Braves shot a 298 in the first round and was seventh in the 10-team field after 18 holes, but shot 308 in the afternoon to slip into ninth with 18 holes remaining.
Tournament-host Missouri State holds a four-shot lead on the field with a score of 579 after two rounds. Illinois State is second in the standings at 583 and is followed closely by Western Illinois at 584. Northern Iowa is fourth at 588, while Creighton rounds out the top half of the standings in fifth at 596.
Eastern Illinois and Texas-Pan American are tied for sixth place at 599 and South Dakota State is eighth at 605. Bradley is one shot back in ninth at 606 and Southern Illinois is four shots behind the Braves in 10th place at 610.
Bradley closes out play at the Branson Creek Invitational Tuesday with one round of play.
