EUGENE, Ore. — The Idaho men's golf team closed out play at the Duck Invitational on Tuesday with an 11th-place finish, posting a 54-hole total of 889 at Eugene Country Club.
The Vandals were competitive in a field that included 10 top 100 teams, including No. 48 Cincinnati and ninth-ranked Illinois. The track at Eugene is one of the toughest challenges the Vandals will face this season.
Sam Johnson led Idaho, tying for 23rd at five-over-par 218. Johnson delivered consistent rounds of 71, 73 and 74 to pace the Vandals throughout the tournament.
Josh McCartain added a top-35 finish, tying for 32nd at 221 (+8). After a second-round 76, McCartain bounced back with a 1-over 72 in the final round to climb the leaderboard.
Dalton Dean finished tied for 45th at 223 (+10), highlighted by a second-round 73.
Joe Sykes (229, +16) and
Henrik Koglin (230, +17) rounded out the Idaho lineup.
Idaho struggled to keep pace in the second round but responded with a more balanced effort Tuesday, with all five players shooting 77 or better in the final round.
Illinois captured the team title at 857 (-1), while Oregon (867) and Michigan State (868) rounded out the top three.
The Vandals are right back in action next week at Chambers Bay and will look to build on their final-round momentum as they head into the final stretch of the spring season.
