Baker leads Mount Mercy to fifth place

SILVIS, Ill. - On Monday and Tuesday, the Mount Mercy men's golf team competed in the NAIA Midwest Invitational at TPC Deere Run hosted by St. Ambrose. After a strong showing through round one, the Mustangs finished fifth on the historic course. 

In a unique course with a par of 71, Theo Baker and Ziwen Zhong both carded a one-over-par, 72 in round one to pace Mount Mercy. Junn Yong and Lincoln Beckett fired 74's to put Mount Mercy atop the leaderboard through 18 holes. Mount Mercy's 18-hole total of 292 is their lowest of the season. 

Round two proved to be more difficult for the Mustangs. Baker stayed strong to finish sixth (145=72-73), Junn Yong (149=74-75) tied for 14th, Lincoln Beckett (151=74-77) tied for 20th and Joseph Grau (159=79-80) was 50th. Unfortunately, Zhong was disqualified and his score did not count in the second round. 

Midland (Neb.) (589=305-284) and Marian(Ind.) (589=294-295) tied for first, Roosevelt (Ill.) (593=302-291) was third, Northwestern (596=305-291) fourth, and Mount Mercy (597=292-305) rounded out the top five in a field of 16 teams and 80 participants. 

Mount Mercy has a two week break before they are back in action traveling to the Tatanka Fall Invite on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 9-10 at the Tatanka Golf Course in Niobrara, Neb. Tee times have not yet been released.