Sept. 16, 2011
CHICAGO, Ill. – The University of Notre Dame men’s golf team used an opening round 292 (+12) on Friday at the Olympia Fields Invitational to sit in a share of 12th place after the first day of play. Individually, Max Scodro (Chicago, Ill.) led the way for the Irish after carding a one over par 71.
“Max played a solid round,” said Irish head coach Jim Kubinski. “He had some chances for a low one that he didn’t convert but he did a great job as our anchor. As a team we missed some easy conversions, which we can clean up. There’s a long way home in this tournament. We need to play better over the weekend.”
Stanford, which entered the tournament as the 12th-best team in the preseason coaches poll, put together a three-under par round of 277 to claim the early lead in the event, with Oklahoma State (282, +2) claiming second and Auburn, Alabama and Ohio State (285, +5) sharing third.
Scodro, who completed the front nine at one over (36), used a pair of birdies to offset two bogeys on the back side to come in with an even-par 35. All told, Scodro finished his round with three birdies, four bogeys and 11 pars. He sits in a tie for 15th overall.
Sophomore Niall Platt (Santa Barbara, Calif.) continued his consistent play this season, finishing at two over par (72). After posting an early birdie on the fourth hole, Platt was hampered by three bogeys over the final five holes of the front side. Platt would clean up his play on the back nine to record seven pars with one birdie and a bogey. Overall, he owns a tie for 25th.
“Niall also played well,” stated Kubinski, “especially tee to green. He’s a great putter, so he’s never far from a great round.”
Senior Chris Walker (The Woodlands, Texas) and junior Paul McNamara III (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.) rounded out the Irish count-four score, notching a 74 (+4) and 75 (+5), respectively. Walker registered three birdies along with three bogeys, two double bogeys and 10 pars on the day, while McNamara used two birdies in addition to five bogeys, a double bogey and 10 pars to make up his round. Walker is tied for 43rd overall while McNamara is tied for 54th.
Senior Tom Usher (Baildon, England) was not counted toward the team score, finishing the day with an 81 (+11). Usher struggled to get his game going, recording five bogeys along with three double bogeys and 10 pars and is currently tied for 74th overall.
The Irish get their second round underway beginning at 8:40 a.m. (CT) Saturday off of the 10th tee. They will be joined by Augusta State and Northwestern in their groupings.
Olympia Fields Invitational - Olympia Fields, Ill. - Par 70, 7,205 yards
Team Leaders (18 holes complete):1. Stanford 277 -32. Oklahoma State 282 +2T3. Auburn 285 +5T3. Alabama 285 +5T3. Ohio State 285 +5
Individual Leaders (18 holes complete):1. Andrew Yun, Stanford 66 -42. Bobby Wyatt, Alabama 67 -3T3. Patrick Rodgers, Stanford 68 -2T3. TJ Vogel, Florida 68 -2
Notre Dame Standings (18 holes complete):T12. Notre Dame 292 +12T15. Max Scodro 71 +1T25. Niall Platt 72 +2T43. Chris Walker 74 +4T54. Paul McNamara III 75 +5T74. Tom Usher 81 +11
–ND–