Illinois men’s golf takes home sixth straight Big Ten title
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (BVM) — Golf fans around the Big Ten are getting pretty used to seeing the Illinois Fighting Illini men’s golf team on top. This past weekend, the Illini took home their sixth consecutive Big Ten title win with a three-round score of 883 in the 2021 Big Ten Men’s Golf Championships held at Crooked Stick Golf Club.
B1G CHAMPS! 🏆
🔶 6th consecutive
🔶 11th of last 12
🔶 18th in program history#Illini | #B1GMGolf pic.twitter.com/6zo3uDGcg8— Illinois M Golf (@IlliniMGolf) May 2, 2021
The score of 883 narrowly beat out Iowa by one stroke. The Hawkeyes were led by individual medalist Mac McClear who was the only golfer to finish under par through his three rounds, finishing one-under with a score of 215.
Illinois’ top individual finisher was Adrien Dumont de Chassart, who shot a two-over-par, 218 — good for second place. Michael Feagles shot a four-over, 220, earning him a spot in fifth.
Feagles made the all-championship team along with Dumont de Chassart. In addition, Feagles won the Les Bolstad Award for having the lowest stroke average in the Big Ten throughout the season at 70.83. He becomes the eighth Illinois player all-time to win the honor, and first since 2016.
The championship win was the 18th all-time for the Illini men’s golf program, and its 11th in the last 12 seasons. However, this one proved challenging, as Illinois struggled at times during the final round on Sunday. Entering the day with a two-shot lead, the Fighting Illini were able to stave off Iowa, though, and the team’s success under the leadership of coach Mike Small continued.
“Winning or losing is just a by-product of how you operate that day, and how you handle situations,” Small said after the final round. “We were down and out; it was not looking good. But we built a little momentum … I’m so happy for the team. They persevered through a lot of adversity this week.”
The conference title gives Illinois an automatic bid into the 2021 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship, with the field scheduled to be revealed on Wednesday. Regional play will begin on May 17, where the Fighting Illini will look to begin another championship run.
