Hoosiers climb into the top 10

Round two at the Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Invitational came to a close Monday afternoon, and IU improved to 10th place.

Senior Brant Peaper jumped to the top 10 in individual standings.

Junior Hugo Menendez led the Hoosiers in the second round as he orchestrated a nine-stroke turnaround from his opening round 77, since his 68 was tied for
second of Monday’s rounds.

“I knew his 77 was not what he wanted, and he was very disappointed in that round,” IU Coach Mike Mayer said. “He was disappointed in himself and his performance. It was a great way to follow it up, and, hopefully, he has gained back that confidence.”

Menendez, from Gijon, Spain, opened with a bogey but followed with birdies on six of the last seven holes of his first nine.

He then struggled a bit as he made the turn to his second nine holes, where he was over par on three of the next four holes.

“It was an up-and-down round, but the way he came back to finish was big for this team,” Mayer said. “Maybe it was the European win in the Ryder Cup that inspired him.”

Peaper continued his success from this year as he improved on his opening round 73 with a 70 and catapulted from a tie for 20th place to a tie for ninth.

“From tee to green, as good as I have seen him hit it,” Mayer said. “If he does that and makes some putts, he could have shot really low. He is a big time player and has shown us that all year.”

The final round for the Hoosiers will be underway on hole 10 at 8:30 a.m. with sophomore Andrew Fogg teeing first followed by senior Corey Ziedonis, junior David Mills, Menendez and Peaper.