Zipfel Posts Runner-Up Finish at Purdue Fall Invitational
October 13, 2026 | Men's Golf
RECAP
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Fighthing Illini freshman Harrison Zipfel posted a runner-up finish as one of four individual competitors representing the Orange and Blue Monday and Tuesday at the Purdue Fall Invitational at the Kampen-Cosler Golf Couse.
Zipfel, who made his collegiate debut last month with a T23 finish as an individual at the OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational, finished two shots behind medalist Bence Bertenyi of Toledo in a tie for second palce with Indiana's Cole Starnes. The St. Louis native, and product of St. Louis University High School, carded a 54-hole tally of 209 (-7).
Zipfel was especially sharp in Rounds 2 and 3. Following an opening 73 (+1), he carded back-to-back rounds of 68 (-4). His surge included a hole-in-one on the 185-yard, Par 3 second hole. He also posted 12 birdies to offset four bogeys and a double-bogey, which allowed him to climb 20 spots up the leaderboard over the final 36 holes of action.
Alongside Zipfel, three other Illini competed as individuals. Senior Ethan Wilson shot a 219 (+3), including back-to-back rounds of 70 (-2) to close out his week with a top-20 finish. Sophomore Dujuan Snyman (+4) finished one stroke behind Wilson in a tie for 25th, while freshman Le Khanh Hung (+9) tied for 39th in the 88-player field.
As a team, the No. 4-ranked Illini are set to close out the fall schedule this weekend at the Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational in Saucier, Miss. Illinois will compete in the event for the third consecutive season after posting a runner-up finish behind medalist Jackson Buchanan in 2024 and placing third in 2025 led by a runner-up finish from Max Herendeen.
