Tops earn runner-up finish in Kannapolis

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – Following a busy Monday where the Tops finished third after two rounds, WKU Men’s Golf improved on an impressive tournament run and tied with Radford as the runner-up in the Irish Creek Collegiate.

Graduate student Luke Fuller led the way for the Red and White. Fuller spent the entirety of the tournament in the top-10 and finished his tournament tied for fourth. Fuller’s impressive tournament showing included four birdies and meeting par on 11 different occasions. Fuller went over par only three times, including back-to-back times on his third and fourth holes. Fuller was one of two Tops who had an under par final round score after turning in a 1-under 69.

Finishing just outside of the top-10, Nic Hofman also helped lead the Tops to this runner-up finish. Hofman never went over par throughout this round and finished the day with four birdies. He finished his tournament showing with 12 total birdies which tied him for third among the field. Hofman finished this tourney tied for 11th.

Stephen Warren and Gage Doyle tied for 23rd for the Red and White. Doyle had a career day turning in his best career finish. The freshman put in five birdies and put in back-to-back birdies on two different occasions throughout the round. Doyle bounced back from his 5-over 75 second round, shaving five strokes off and finishing with an even-par 70. Warren had a setback with his final round, but still solidified himself within the top-25 with two birdies. The junior turned in a 6-over 76 final round after bogeying four times.

Following his outstanding second round, Riley Grindstaff tied for 27th in this tournament. Grindstaff had a solid start for his final round, going even on back-to-back holes before a bogey set him back. Still finishing in the top-30 the junior turned in a 6-over 76 final round.

Improving between his second and final rounds, Connery Meyer had a great rebound round to help the Tops to their runner-up finish. The WKU senior moved up 12 spots to finish 32nd. Meyer had an impressive front nine of his final round that included four birdies. Meyer went over par on only one occasion before going even and putting in back-to-back birdies on his subsequent holes. The senior shaved a stroke off his second-round score, finishing with a 1-over 71 final round.

Statistically, the Tops had a great wire to wire showing as they finished first in the field in birdies (55) and eagles (1). WKU was also second in par 3s (3.21) and tied for first in par 5s (4.61).

WKU will be back in action for their final regular season tournament before the CUSA Championship next week. The Red and White will be traveling to Bridgeport, West Virginia to compete in the Mountaineer Invitational from April 15-16.

Live Results

Results – Teams Final
1. Jacksonville State– 285, 273, 279
t-2. Radford– 283, 274, 281
t-2. WKU– 280, 279, 279
4. Old Dominion– 278, 282, 288
t-5. Old Dominion– 285, 286, 287

Results– WKU Final
t-4th. Luke Fuller– 70, 70, 69
t-11th. Nic Hofman– 71, 71, 69
t-23rd. Gage Doyle– 70, 75, 70
t-23rd. Stephen Warren– 69, 70, 76
t-27th. Riley Grindstaff– 72, 68, 70
t-32nd. Connery Meyer– 72, 72, 71