McLean County Times

The Illinois State men's golf team faced weather challenges and delays during the first day of the 2025 Badger Invitational in Madison, Wisconsin. Play was interrupted twice by lightning, resulting in most players completing between 23 and 27 holes before darkness halted play. The tournament will conclude with the remaining holes on the final day.

Illinois State is currently in fifth place among 14 participating schools, with a team score of one under par. Southern Miss leads at ten under par, followed by Southern Illinois and Toledo at five under, Northern Illinois at three under, and ISU rounding out the group of teams with an under-par score. Other teams include Xavier (even), UTSA (+1), VCU (+2), Oakland (+6), DePaul (+10), Green Bay (+11), Wisconsin (+12), Minnesota (+12), and Valparaiso (+16).

TJ Barger led Illinois State on the opening day, finishing at one under par and tied for 12th individually. He shot a three-under 69 in his first round, closing with three consecutive birdies. In his second round, he recorded three pars and two bogeys before play was suspended.

Freshman Sam Ottwell made his collegiate debut at even par through 27 holes and is tied for 18th. He finished his first round with a two-under 70 after making two birdies in his last three holes. Max Faucquez also sits at even par and is tied for 18th; he opened with an even-par 72 that included three birdies.

Senior Pietro Pontiggia holds a +1 score through 25 holes and is tied for 24th place. He has made seven birdies so far in the tournament. Francis Bautista, competing as an individual, is at +2 overall and tied for 35th after recording several birdies across both rounds.

Aiden Cudney stands at +6 through 24 holes while Gonzalo Cuellar posted an opening-round score of +8 but improved to +1 over eight holes in his second round.

Play will resume for all teams with a shotgun start scheduled for 8:45 a.m., when competitors will complete their remaining holes to finish the event.