McLean County Times

A strong opening round at the 2024 Badger Invitational has positioned the Redbirds in second place among a field of 16 schools, including two Big Ten institutions.

Leading Illinois State University (ISU) are TJ Barger and Pietro Pontiggia, both tied for third place after shooting three-under 69s over 18 holes. Will Troy is tied for 11th with a two-under 70. Freshman Aiden Cudney finished the first round with a two-over 74, placing him in a tie for 70th. Alex McCulla recorded a six-over 78, tying him for 71st. Competing individually, Francis Bautista is tied for 47th with a three-over 75.

Wisconsin leads the tournament with an initial score of 281, while ISU trails by one stroke at six-under 282. The rest of the standings include Northern Illinois (283), Long Beach State (286), Washington State (288), Southern Miss (289), Memphis (290), Minnesota (292), South Dakota State (294), Nebraska (295), Southern Illinois (295), VCU (303), Ball State (304), Winthrop (304), Green Bay (305), and Western Kentucky (306).

The Redbirds will tee off starting at 11:10 a.m., beginning with McCulla, followed by Cudney at 11:20 a.m., Troy at 11:30 a.m., Pontiggia at 11:40 a.m., and Barger at 11:50 a.m. Bautista will start on the tenth hole at 11:10 a.m.

Pontiggia started strong, being six strokes under par through his first nine holes with four birdies and an eagle, finishing the day with four birdies on his back nine to close out with a three-under-par score.

Barger had four birdies and one bogey on his front nine to make the turn three shots under par and maintained this through his back nine.

Troy overcame an early bogey to finish two-under-par after birdies on his second, tenth, and sixteenth holes.

Cudney experienced mixed results throughout his round but managed to finish two-over-par.

McCulla completed his round with two birdies and nine pars for a six-over-par score.

Competing as an individual, Bautista ended his round three-over-par after achieving two birdies on each half of the course.

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