The University of Iowa men’s golf team claimed the team title at the 32nd Hawkeye Invitational on April 20-21, finishing 13-under par as a group. Ryan Shellberg captured the individual title, finishing 10-under par.
After the first day, Shellberg sat at the top of the field, shooting 13-under through two rounds. He opened with a six-under 66, featuring four straight birdies to start the round. The sophomore recorded 17 of 18 holes at par or better with seven total birdies.
In the second round, he carried that same momentum, where he finished with a career-best seven-under par 65. That round ranks 10th in program history, highlighted by five consecutive birdies on the back nine and nine total birdies.
Jack McCarty sat in the top five after shooting a three-under par 69 with all but one hole at par or better in the second round. The redshirt freshman opened with a one-over round, finishing one-under on the back nine before continuing on that in round two.
Grant Gudgel shot five-over in the first round before coming back with a three-under 69 in round two. He was in the top 20 and recorded five total birdies.
Sophomore Chance Rinkol sat at four-over par after a one-over in the first round, with 16 of 18 holes at par or better, and a three-over par in the second round. Max Tjoa finished both rounds at three-over, finishing six-over on the day.
Freshman Bennett Warren competed individually, shooting a three-over par in the first round and a two-over par in the second.
At the end of the second round, the Hawkeyes posted a 10-under 278, tying for the 28th-best 18-hole team score in program history.
On the second day of the invitational, the Hawkeyes claimed the team title. This marks Iowa’s first team championship since the 2023 Hawkeye Invitational at Finkbine Golf Course. Shellberg became Iowa’s 17th Hawkeye Invitational individual champion, and the first since Mac McClear at the ANF Classic on September 6, 2023.
“Ryan’s performance yesterday was remarkable,” head coach Tyler Stith told Hawkeye Sports. “I didn’t see -13 out there in those conditions. It was one of the best 36 holes of golf in program history. He gave himself a seven-shot lead and did enough today to grind out the win.”
McCarty posted his best career finish, placing fourth with a four-under par. He shot par or better in 17 of the 18 holes in the third round.
Gudgel led the way through the third round, shooting three-under with three birdies and an eagle. He finished sixth overall.
Tjoa shot his best round of the tournament at even par in the final round to finish 25th at six-over par. Warren closed the tournament at 5-over par to finish seven-over overall.
Iowa has now won the Hawkeye Invitational four times since 2019.
Up Next
The Hawkeyes will compete at the Big Ten Championships in North Plains, Oregon, on May 1-3.