The Iowa men’s golf team improved its play by two strokes in the second round of the U.S. Collegiate Championship on Monday. Iowa shot a 3-over 291 and was one of seven teams in the 14-team field to lower its score from day one.

The improvement wasn’t enough compared with the rest of the field, though; head coach Mark Hankins’ squad fell two spots and were in 10th place at the end of Monday’s play in Alpharetta, Ga.

The Hawkeyes are 8-over through 36 holes.

Barrett Kelpin and Brad George led the Hawkeyes on day two, each shooting 1-under 71 in the second round. Kelpin and sophomore Steven Ihm are the furthest up the leaderboard through two rounds — both are tied for 16th.

George’s play was vastly improved from his performance in round one. After recording two double-bogeys, five bogeys, and two birdies on Sunday, the senior played his second-best round of the year. George fired four birdies and three bogeys during second-round play en route to only his second subpar round this fall.

Senior Chris Brant struggled on Monday, posting a 78. The Hawkeyes’ No. 2 golfer carded his second-highest round of the fall season.

Host school Georgia Tech leads after two rounds at 10-under. Only five of the 14 teams hold under-par scores heading into today’s final round.

Brant will be the first Hawkeye to tee off this morning, starting at 8:50 a.m. Kelpin will be the last Iowa golfer to tee off, at 9:30 a.m.

— by Ben Schuff