Murray Fires 66 in Wisconsin

Hamish Murray scorched the University Ridge Golf Course in Verona, Wisconsin for a collegiate career-best 66 (-6) to fly 45 spots up the leaderboard on Monday at the Badger Invitational.

Murray, a senior from Sydney, Australia, recorded seven birdies along with 10 pars against just one bogey to move from a tie for 62nd after Sunday's opening round to a tie for 17th. Murray played the back nine on Monday at 31 with four consecutive birdies on No. 10, 11, 12 and 13 before adding a birdie on No. 16.

Murray and teammate Rudy Sautron closed the day in a tie for 17th at 143 (-1) through 36 holes in the 90-player field on the 7,286-yard layout at University Ridge. Sautron, a sophomore from Reunion Island, France, produced a 71 (-1) on Monday that included his third eagle of the young season on the par-5 ninth hole.

Redshirt sophomore Evan McDermott continued his solid play with a one-under-par 71 of his own, as he moved to the final round in 25th at even-par 144. 

True freshman Brodie Cunningham rounded out Nebraska's team score in the five-count-four format with an even-par 72. Cunningham opened the tournament with a 73 on Sunday, including an eagle on the par-5 second hole. Cunningham is tied for 29th at 145 (+1) heading to the final round.

Nebraska closed the day with a 280 (-8) team score to climb three spots in the standings to seventh in the 16-team field. The Huskers are 14 strokes behind the hosts from Wisconsin (561), but just five strokes from fourth place heading to the final round.

Long Beach State and Northern Illinois are tied for second at 563 (-13), while Illinois State sits in fourth at 571 (-5).

The Badger Invitational concludes with Tuesday's final round beginning at 9 a.m. (CT).

Badger Invitational
September 29-October 1, 2024
University Ridge GC (Par 72, 7,286 Yards)
Verona, Wisconsin

Team Standings (Two Rounds)
1. Wisconsin - 281-280=561 (-15)
T2. Northern Illinois - 283-280-563 (-13)
T2. Long Beach State - 286-277=563 (-13)
4. Illinois State - 282-289=571 (-5)
5. Washington State - 288-284=572 (-4)
6. Southern Miss - 289-285=574 (-2)
7. Nebraska - 295-280=575 (-1)
8. Memphis - 290-287=577 (+1)
9. Minnesota - 292-288=580 (+4)
10. South Dakota State - 294-296=590 (+14)
11. Ball State - 304-288=592 (+16)
T12. Western Kentucky - 306-287=593 (+17)
T12. Southern Illinois - 295-298=593 (+17)
14. Winthrop - 304-290=594 (+18)
15. VCU - 303-295=598 (+22)
16. Green Bay - 305-303=608 (+32)

Individual Standings (Two Rounds)
1. William Harned, Wisconsin - 66-68=134 (-10)
T2. Sam Renner, Washington State - 69-67=136 (-8)
T2. Felix Krammer, Northern Illinois - 64-72=136 (-8)
T4. Alejandro De Castro, Long Beach State - 76-63=139 (-5)
T4. TJ Barger, Illinois State - 69-70=139 (-5)
T4. Patrick Raupp, Northern Illinois - 72-67=139 (-5)
T4. Clay Seeber, Long Beach State - 69-70=139 (-5)
*T8. Pattanan Bruminhent, Northern Illinois - 69-71=140 (-4)
T8. Yixiang Wang, Memphis - 72-68=140 (-4)
10. Jason Schwartz, Wisconsin - 70-71-141 (-3)

Nebraska Individuals
T17. Hamish Murray - 77-66=143 (-1)
T17. Rudy Sautron - 72-71=143 (-1)
T25. Evan McDermott - 73-71=144 (E)
T29. Brodie Cunningham - 73-72=145 (+1)
T60. Quinn Yost - 78-73=151 (+7)