Spartans Take Seventh at the Big Ten Championships

April 29, 2018

LUTHERVILLE, Maryland - The Michigan State men's golf team placed seventh at the Big Ten Championships with a 31-over-par 871 (294-281-296). The Spartans tied for the third-best round on Sunday with a 16-over-par 296 on the tournament's final day at the Baltimore Country Club in Lutherville, Maryland.

B1G Championships Results | Golfstat

"I thought we were really tight and impatient on the first day," MSU head coach Casey Lubahn said. "Knowing where we are in the national rankings along with it being the conference championships, guys were playing for a lot. When we settled in after the first day, we played well. It was more of the same for us; we always fight hard and find a way to have a good finish. Unfortunately, it was not enough to do what we wanted to do."

No. 12 Illinois was the only team to finish under par at the 7,181-yard course and won the title with a 4-under-par 836, 15 strokes ahead of second-place Ohio State.

Kaleb Johnson led the Spartans in the tournament and on the final day. He compiled his best round of the tournament with an even-par 70 on Sunday and tied for 15th place with a 5-over-par 215 (73-72-70). Johnson recorded four birdies in his final round, including three over the final nine holes.

Andrew Walker tied for 31st place 10-over-par 220 (78-69-73). Walker had the second best round by a Spartan on Sunday at 3-over-par 73. After an 8-over-par in round one, Walker bounced back and was 2-over-par over the final two rounds.

"I thought he really grew up the last couple days," Lubahn said. "He fought really hard and his 142 over the last two days was really good. Hopefully, he'll use that in his next event."

James Piot (77-67-77) and Michael Sharp (72-73-76) both tied for 37th at 11-over-par 221. Sharp shot a 6-over-par 76 on Sunday, while Piot carded a 7-over-par 77.

Charlie Green was 16-over-par 226 (72-77-77) for the tournament.

Illinois' Nick Hardy won the individual title at 6-under-par 204.

The Spartans will now wait to see if they are one of 81 teams selected for the NCAA Championships when the field is announced on Wednesday, May 2 at 6 p.m. on Golf Channel.

"This is a great group that plays hard and never gives up," Lubahn said. "Now, we'll just see what the committee decides."