The Iowa men’s golf team finished the first 36 holes of the Fighting Irish Gridiron Classic in second place, 12 strokes behind first-place Notre Dame.

Despite shooting a 590 (30 over) — their highest score all season after 36 holes — the Hawkeyes shot better than 13 other teams after Monday’s first two rounds in South Bend, Ind.

Iowa must continue its strong play in today’s final round in order to finish its fourth-consecutive tournament in the top five. Six teams trail the Hawkeyes by five strokes or fewer.

Junior Vince India, who placed 12th in last year’s Irish Classic, tied for 11th after a two-round total of 146 (6 over).

Sophomore Chris Brant landed in a tie for 17th after finishing with a 147.

Junior Brad Hopfinger, who finished in fourth place at last week’s VCU Shootout in Manakin-Sabot, Va., shot seven birdies and finished tied for 22nd at 148.

Sophomore Barrett Kelpin carded 149 to tie for 28th.

Redshirt sophomore James Reiss, playing in his first collegiate tournament, holed a 160 to land in 79th.

— by Clark Cahill