Two rounds into the Kansas Invitational last week, there was one Marquette men’s golfer in the top 30. After two rounds of the Xavier Invitational Monday, four of Marquette’s five golfers were in the top 14 at the par-72 Oasis Golf Club in Loveland, Ohio.
Sophomore Matt Haase led the way for Marquette with a 3-under par 141 (71, 70), which puts him in a tie for fourth place going into the final round.
Junior Kelly Kretz shot a 2-under-par 142 (71, 71), good enough for eighth place. Senior Mike McDonald and redshirt junior Ben Sieg each shot 1-under-par (70, 73), which puts them in a tie for 14th.
With all the individual success, the team has benefited, too. The Golden Eagles shot a 7-under-par 569 (282, 287) and sits in second place. Akron has the lead going into the final round after its 9-under-par 567 (284, 283).
Coach Tim Grogan felt that his players’ ability to get off to a good start enabled them to do well throughout the day.
“They were mentally focused and ready to go,” Grogan said. “They came out with pretty good focus and wanted to show the level they could play at.”
Grogan felt his players performed well, but not up to their full potential.
“A few probably even felt they left a few shots out there,” Grogan said. “We didn’t close out in the second round. That’s the difference between being in first (place) versus second. Hopefully they come out with some good focus tomorrow.”
Haase, the team’s best scorer through two rounds, had similar feelings about his game.
“I left a few shots out there with a few bad swings. I got up to 3-under-par in both rounds and fell back to 1-under-par with a double bogey on the last hole, which was just inexcusable,” Haase said. “In the second round I just had a few bad putts. I should have made a few more birdies because I missed a few 15-foot putts.”
Despite Haase’s individual success, McDonald put up the shot of the day with an eagle on the par-5 9th hole in the first round.
“I had a good drive to right side of the fairway; 195 yards in (to the green),” McDonald said. “(Then I) hit the perfect 4-iron: it started a little bit to the right but came back and stuck four feet right of the pin.”
McDonald’s shot of the day and solid play all around has him thinking positively. Despite being in second place to start the day, he said the team won’t need to chase any other teams tomorrow.
“If we play well and forget about the other team, we’ll do well,” McDonald said. “This course is made for our games. If we play the way we can, we should get off to good start and lead the way.”
Haase said if the team doesn’t win the tournament, it will be considered a disappointment.
“We all have ability to shoot 60 on this course,” Haase said. “If we play smart golf and make par on tough holes we should definitely win tomorrow.”