Sawyer, McCommon Lead Cyclones to Top 10 Finish at Gopher Invitational

INDEPENDENCE, Minn. – The Iowa State Men’s Golf team finished 10th at the Gopher Invitational. After a slow start in the first round, the Cyclones followed with a 289 (+5) in round two and a 293 (+9) in the final round to jump three spots into the Top 10.   

Senior Owen Sawyer led the final day charge, shooting a 71 (E) to earn his first Top 25 finish of the season, tying for 21st with a season-best 217 (+4). He also tied for fourth in the field with a 2.92 average score on Par 3’s. Senior Jackson McCommon turned in his second straight solid performance, tying for 30th place with a 220 (+7) 54-hole score behind a final round score of 75 (+4). McCommon tied for first in the field on Par 3’s, separating himself with a 2.83 average.  

Dianchao Wu shot a 74 (+3) in the final round, with Wu tying for 45th with a 223 (+9) 54-hole score. Senior Drew Hensen shot a 73 (+2) in the last round, tying for 56th with a 225 (+12) over 54 holes.  

Freshman Ben Wheeler shot a 77 (+6) in the final round, tying for 72nd with a 230 (+17) 54-hole score. Sophomore Jesse Trembath (Ind.) tallied six birdies over the weekend, placing 50th in his season debut. He shot a 78 (+7) in the final round to finish the weekend at 214 (+11).  

Georgia won the team title with an 843 (-9), beating Oklahoma by five strokes. Oklahoma’s Ryder Cowan took home the tournament’s top honors with a 200 (-13).  

Iowa State returns to action next weekend, heading to the Cullan Brown Collegiate in Lexington, Ky. The two-day event is scheduled for October 5-6.  

Iowa State Scorecard 

T21 – Owen Sawyer – 71-74-71=217 (+4) 

T30 – Jackson McCommon – 73-72-75=220 (+7) 

T45 – Dianchao Wu – 79-70-74=223 (+10) 

T56 – Drew Hensen – 80-72-73=225 (+12) 

T71 – Ben Wheeler – 78-75-77=230 (+17) 

Iowa State Individuals  

50 – Jesse Trembath – 73-73-78=224 (+11) 

Team Leaderboard  

1. Georgia – 288-282-273=843 (-9) 

2. Oklahoma – 294-274-281=849 (-3) 

3. Rutgers – 289-284-287=860 (+8) 

4. Cincinnati – 289-287-286=862 (+10) 

5. Little Rock – 291-290-284=865 (+13)  

T6. West Virginia – 289-287-290=866 (+14) 

T6. Marquette – 298-282-286=866 (+14) 

8. St. Thomas (MN) – 299-288-286=873 (+21) 

9. Grand Canyon – 296-294-292=882 (+30) 

10. Iowa State – 301-289-293=883 (+31) 

T11. Oral Roberts – 301-290-293=884 (+32) 

T11. Minnesota – 295-290-299=884 (+32) 

13. Nebraska – 303-292-294=889 (+37) 

14. Kent State – 305-293-296=894 (+42) 

15. Miami (OH) – 304-297-306=907 (+55)