EUGENE, Ore. – The No. 9-ranked Fighting Illini men's golf team closed out its third win of the season on Tuesday, claiming the Duck Invitational title at Eugene Country Club for the second time in three seasons.
Three members of the Illini lineup posted top-10 finishes, and junior Max Herendeen – competing as an individual – ran away with medalist honors by five strokes. It marked Herendeen's fourth collegiate victory.
As a team, the Fighting Illini posted a 54-hole total of 857 (+5) to finish 10 strokes ahead of runner-up and host Oregon (+15). Michigan State (+16), Oregon State (+18), and St. Mary's (+20) rounded out the top five in the team race.
Herendeen's 11-under marked the third-lowest score of his career, and his second-best this season behind a 12-under in his runner-up finish at the Fallen Oak Collegiate in October. He was the only competitor to finish under par in all three rounds, firing scores of 67 (-4) and 69 (-2) on Monday before his closing 66 (-5) in Tuesday's finale.
Sophomore Freddie Turnell was the top finisher in the Illini lineup with a 2-under 211 to secure a share of third place. It marked Turnell's best finish as a member of the Fighting Illini program after playing last year as a freshman at UALR.
Sophomore Trey Marrion (+1) and senior Ryan Voois (+2) finished tied for fifth and tied for seventh, respectively. Junior Ethan Wilson tied for 20th at 4-over, while classmate Dane Huddleston (+16) finished T66.
Also competing as an individual, sophomore Jake Birdwell tied for seventh at 2-over. It marked his top finish of the season, and the best of his career since his T3 last season at the Big Ten Championship.
The Illini's third individual in action, freshman Dujuan Snyman, finished T49 at 11-over.
Up Next
The Illini return to action in early April, traveling to Augusta, Ga., for the Augusta Haskins Award Invitational. The event is hosted by Augusta University at Forest Hills Golf Club – just minutes from Augusta National Golf Club – and takes place April 4-5, concluding on the eve of Masters week.
