Leathernecks Wrap Up Action in the Colin Montgomerie HPU Invitational

Western Illinois finished tied for seventh overall and were led by Drew Eaton during the final 18 holes

FINAL RESULTS

SPRING, Texas - Western Illinois wrapped up action in the Colin Montgomerie HPU Invitational Tuesday (Feb. 28) in a tie for seventh place with a three-round total of 885. The Leathernecks opened action with a 292 before carding scores of 299 and 294 in rounds two and three.

"We showed signs of being a very good golf team in this tournament. There were stretches where we were the best team and stretches where our lack of experience really showed," said head coach Mel Blasi. "Our two freshmen played really well. Kyle (Irlbacker) led the tournament for the first 27 holes after a brilliant bogey free 67 in round one and a good start in round two. Drew Eaton finished eagle birdie today to shoot one of the low rounds of the day and it was also nice to see Jackson (Wetherbee) rebound today after a slow tournament start."

WIU's two freshmen led the way for the Leathernecks as Kyle Irlbacker finished tied for 18th overall with a 220 and Drew Eaton tied for 27th with a 221. Irlbacker was in first place after the first round with a 67 (-5) before recording marks of 75 and 78 in the final two rounds. Eaton opened play with scores of 76 and 75 in the first two rounds before finishing with a team-best score of 70 (-2) during the final round.

Rounding out Western's top five and finishing one stroke from one another was senior Andrew Blackburn, sophomore Jackson Wetherbee and junior Sean Miller. Blackburn tied for 41st with a 225 and finished with a 75 in each of the three rounds, Wetherbee improved in each of his three rounds with marks of 80, 75 and 71 (-1), and Miller used scores of 74, 74 and 79 to make up his total.

The Leathernecks continue their spring slate on March 13-14 at Appalachian State's Bash at the Beach Invitational.

WESTERN ILLINOIS STANDINGS:
7. Western Illinois: 292-299-294--885
T18. Kyle Irlbacker: 67-75-78--220
T22. Drew Eaton: 76-75-70--221
T41. Andrew Blackburn: 75-75-75--225
T44. Jackson Wetherbee: 80-75-71--226
T48. Sean Miller: 74-74-79--227

TEAM STANDINGS:
1. Louisiana Monroe: 284-294-292--870
2. Central Arkansas: 292-293-289--874
3. Stephen F. Austin: 291-291-293--875
4. HBU: 296-288-295--879
5. Nicholls: 294-292-296--882
6. UTRGV: 287-301-296--884
7. Western Illinois: 292-299-294--885
Abilene Christian: 298-294-293--885
Bradley: 288-295-302--885
10. Incarnate Word: 303-294-302--899
11. South Dakota: 301-297-305--903
12. Weber State: 298-308-299--905
13. Omaha: 304-317-307--928

Tweet #W1U

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Andrew Blackburn: Senior; Sterling

Sean Miller: Junior; East

Jackson Wetherbee: Sophomore; Galesburg

Kyle Irlbacker: Freshman; Cary Grove

Drew Eaton: Freshman; Quincy Notre Dame

Players Mentioned

Andrew Blackburn
: Senior; Sterling

Sean Miller
: Junior; East

Jackson Wetherbee
: Sophomore; Galesburg

Kyle Irlbacker
: Freshman; Cary Grove

Drew Eaton
: Freshman; Quincy Notre Dame