After one day of competition in Ohio, the Mizzou men’s golf team sits in first place of 14 schools at the Moraine Intercollegiate as three Tigers overall are among the top 10 golfers.
The Tigers opened the first of two rounds on Monday with a 15-under 269 – tied for the fourth-best round in school history and the team’s lowest tally since recording a school-record 263 in the first round of the 2010 Jackrabbit Invitational. Mizzou followed up with a seven-under 272 in the second round for a two-round tally of -21.
Mizzou enter the final round two strokes ahead of second-place Xavier (-19), followed by ninth-ranked Illinois (-15) and Penn State (-15).
Junior Veikka Viskari (Espoo, Finland/Haukilahden Lukio) leads all golfers in the tournament with an eight-under tally through 36 holes, taking the lead thanks to a dominating first round. Viskari carded a nine-under 62 in the first 18 holes of the day – setting not only a career-best round (by four strokes) but also tied for the second-best round in school history. He tallied six birdies on the front nine before adding three more on the back nine for a clean scorecard and a four-shot lead through 18. Viskari then added a 72 in the second 18 to take a one-stroke lead into the final round.
Junior Bradley Mulder (Spokane, Wash./Mead HS) is among the pack chasing Viskari as he finished the day tied for second place at seven-under. Mulder carded a first round score of 66 behind five birdies and no bogeys before adding a two-under 69 during the second 18 holes of play (adding another five birdies).
Sophomore Trent Mierl also finished among the day one leaders, placing 10th overall at five-under. He opened the day with a 69 before improving by one shot in the second round with a 68 – totally nine birdies in 36 holes of action.
The final day of action is set for Tuesday morning with a 7:45 a.m. CT tee time.
