Spartans Finish Weather-Shortened Hawkeye Invitational in Fourth

IOWA CITY, Iowa - The Michigan State men’s golf team tied for fourth place at the Hawkeye Invitational with a 22-over-par 598 (289-309) at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City, Iowa. The Spartans shot a 21-over-par 309 on Saturday in what was the final round of the tournament, which was shortened to 36 holes due to inclement weather.

Hawkeye Final Results  | Golfstat

Iowa State won the tournament with a 7-over-par 583, topping host Iowa by one stroke. Kansas State came in third at 11-over par, while Kansas tied the Spartans for fourth place.

“It was a classic Big Ten test - the weather was a little rough and the course played tough because of the conditions,” MSU head coach Casey Lubahn said. “We handled it well; we had our struggles and then came together at the end.

“We’re just not sharp enough around the greens, but we’re getting closer. I liked the mentality today even more than I have in a while.”

James Piot led the Spartans by finishing 11th at 4-over-par 148. Piot shot a 6-over-par 78 on Saturday.

Michael Sharp made it two Spartans in the top 14 as he tied for 14th at 5-over-par 149 (70-79).

Andrew Walker’s 3-over-par 75 was the best score of the day by a Spartan on Saturday and tied for the fifth-lowest round by any player. Walker had a 3-over-par 75 in Friday’s first round to finish the tournament 6-over-par 150, tied for 21st place.

“Andrew bounced back after a rough week last week,” Lubahn said. “He fought hard and is getting closer to finding something special.”

Kaleb Johnson tied for 30th at 8-over-par 152 (75-77), while Charlie Green tied for 35th at 9-over-par 153 (74-79).

The Spartans will play their final tuneup prior to the Big Ten Championships next weekend when they travel to Columbus, Ohio, for the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate.