LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Dane Huddleston climbed 14 spots up the individual leaderboard to join teammate Trey Marrion in the top 10, leading the 12th-ranked Illini into fourth place heading into Tuesday's finale at the Southern Highlands Collegiate.
Huddleston opened the day in 20th and after a bogey on No. 1, he shot four-under the rest of the way. The junior carded birdies on Holes 3, 8 and 13, then closed his round with another red number on 18. He is tied for sixth at 4-under, following his opening 71 on Sunday, and sits three shots behind 36-hole leader Paul Chang (-7) of Virginia.
Marrion, who opened with a 3-under 69 in Round 1, shot even-par on Monday to slide two spots into a tie for 9th with a 36-hole tally of 141 (-3).
Senior Ryan Voois bounced back with a 72 in Round 2, shaving two strokes off his opening score. Like Huddleston, he also ascended 14 spots up the leaderboard where he is tied for 29th at 2-over.
Sophomore Freddie Turnell posted the Illini's fourth counting score on the day with his second straight 76, one shot ahead of junior Max Herendeen. Herendeen (+6) and Turnell (+8) are tied for 53rd and 68th, respectively, with 18 holes to play.
Junior Ethan Wilson, competing as an individual, is tied for 60th at 7-over, following rounds of 75-76 on Sunday and Monday.
As a team, the Illini sit at even-par, alone in fourth place in the team standings. No. 1 Virginia (-15) and No. 2 Auburn (-13) are 1-2 in the stacked field that features 15 top-50 programs. Illinois is just two strokes behind Big Ten foe and 35th-ranked Washington in third place. No. 3 Florida (+2) is two shots behind Illinois to round out the top five.
Tuesday's final round is set to tee off beginning at 11 a.m. CT/9 a.m. PT. The Illini – playing with the Gators and No. 4 Texas – will start off Hole 1 beginning at 11:50 a.m. CT/9:50 a.m. PT. Live scoring is available on Clippd Scoreboard.
