Bradley University Athletics

Bushong & Braves Lead At Zach Johnson Invite

Patrick Clark/SIUE Athletics

Men's Golf 10/1/2018 8:17:00 PM

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – Senior Drake Bushong has a one-shot lead on the field and Bradley Men's Golf owns a five-shot edge in the team standings after day one at the Zach Johnson Invitational Monday.

Bushong fired five birdies during an opening round 67 as he carded the lowest round of his Bradley career. The 67 was his 10^th career round in the 60's, which is tied for the second most in school history and one off matching the school record of 11 held by Ethan Brue.

He followed it up with a three-over 74 in the afternoon at the par-71 Glen Oaks Country Club to close Monday's action at one-under 141. Bushong has earned two of his four career medalist titles at the Zach Johnson Invite, winning the event as a freshman in 2015 at Glen Oaks, in addition to claiming top individual honors at the 2016 event held in Rhodes, Iowa. Loyola's Tyler Anderson is one shot behind Bushong in second at even-par 142.

Bradley battled a steady mist and some afternoon showers to finish the day with a five-shot lead on the field. The Braves chased a 10-over par 294 in the morning round with a 15-over 299 in the afternoon and sit at 593. North Dakota State and tournament-host Drake are tied for second overall, five shots back at 598 in the 12-team field which also includes Missouri Valley Conference rivals Loyola (5^th – 605), Valparaiso (9^th – 613) and Northern Iowa (11^th – 627).

One of three Braves in the top 10 in the individual standings, junior Charles Jahn is five shots behind Bushong in a tie for third at four-over 146. Jahn opened up the day with an even par 71 and posted a 75 in the afternoon.

Senior Daniel Lensing rebounded from a first-round 77 to post the low second round of the day for Bradley with a 71 and will enter Tuesday's final round at six-over 148 in a tie for 10^th overall. Fellow senior Michael Mounce turned in a pair of 79's Monday and is tied for 51^st at 158, while his brother Branden Mounce shot matching 83's and is tied for 66^th overall at 166.

Sophomore Miguel Montelongo is in the field as an individual and is tied for 26^th (152), after following up a first-round 78 with a second-round 74.

The final round of the Zach Johnson Invitational tees off Tuesday with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

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