PALM COAST, Fla. ââ'¬"- Austin Eoff, Stuart Macdonald and Timmy Hildebrand posted 2-0 individual records to lead the No. 14-ranked Purdue men's golf team to a 2-0 record on the first day of the Big Ten Match Play Championship at the Hammock Beach Resort.
The Boilermakers defeated Minnesota, 3.5 to 2.5, in the morning match, before topping a good Iowa squad, 4 to 2, in the afternoon match. Purdue will close out its round-robin play on Saturday morning against Northwestern, before advancing to the placing match on Saturday afternoon.
In the morning's match against Minnesota, Eoff continued his outstanding play in the event posting a 6 & 5 win over Jose Mendez, the 2014 Big Ten medalist. Eoff was even-par through 13 holes and won seven of his 13 holes played.
Macdonald, a senior from Vancouver, also posted a 6 & 5 victory over Justin Doeden. Macdonald was on fire during his round, posting a 4-under par score through 14 holes, while winning 7-of-14 holes.
Hildebrand, a freshman from Westfield, Indiana, and playing in his first career event, claimed a 5 & 4 decision over Charlie Duensing. Hildebrand won 8-of-14 holes while posting a 2-over par score.
Jarle Volden and Minnesota's Tom Vining were all-square through 18 holes in their match, earning a half-point for each team.
Eoff continued his excellent play in the afternoon match, defeating Nate Yankovich by a 7 & 6 tally. Eoff was 1-over par and won 8-of-12 holes.
Eoff is now 9-1-1 in three Big Ten Match Play events and won 15-of-25 holes played today.
Macdonald won his match with Iowa's Carson Schaake by a 1-up score after parring his last hole of the day while Schaake bogeyed. Macdonald was even-par for his round and improved his career mark in the event to 5-1-0.
Hildebrand won his second match of the day with a 4 & 3 victory over Sam Meuret. Hildebrand was 3-over par through 15 holes and birdied three of his final 10 holes to earn the victory.
The Boilermakers' last victory came from Brian Carlson in a 4 & 3 win over Voram Aussarassakom. Carlson played his 15 holes in 2-over par, including 2-under par in his final 10 holes.
Purdue closes out round-robin play on Saturday morning against Northwestern. The Boilermakers and Wildcats are the only unbeaten teams in the field.
TEAM RECORDS
PURDUE: 2-0
Northwestern: 2-0
Indiana: 1-1
Iowa: 1-1
Michigan State: 1-1
Minnesota: 1-1
Penn State: 1-1
Rutgers: 1-1
Michigan: 0-2
Nebraska: 0-2
PURDUE 3.5, Minnesota 2.5
1) Austin Eoff (P) def. Jose Mendez, 6 & 5
2) Jon Du Toit (M) def. Fernando Barco, 3 & 1
3) Stuart Macdonald (P) def. Justin Doeden, 6 & 5
4) Jarle Volden (P) drew Tom Vining, AS
5) Timmy Hildebrand (P) def. Charlie Duensing, 5 & 4
6) Runar Arnorsson (M) def. Brian Carlson, 5 & 3
PURDUE 4, Iowa 2
1) Austin Eoff (P) def. Nate Yankovich, 7 & 6
2) Raymond Knoll (I) def. Fernando Barco, 4 & 2
3) Stuart Macdonald (P) def. Carson Schaake, 1-up
4) Brian Carlson (P) def. Voram Aussarassakorn, 4 & 3
5) Matthew Walker (I) def. Jarle Volden, 4 & 3
6) Timmy Hildebrand (P) def. Sam Meuret, 4 & 3