Round 3 Results
SUGAR GROVE, Ill. ââ'¬" The Purdue men's golf team wrapped up its season Sunday at the NCAA Golf Championships, failing to advance to the top 15 cutline for Monday's fourth round.
For the third straight day, the Boilermakers couldn't capitalize on ideal scoring conditions at Rich Harvest Farms, shooting a 21-over par 309 for a 54-hole total of 38-over par 902 (298-295-309=902), good for 28th place.
Vanderbilt leads the field after 54 holes at 18-under par 846, while the 15th-place cutline was 7-over par 871, achieved by UCF.
"This was a really tough finish to the year, but I truly enjoyed coaching this team and being around them. There are great people in this program and it is a blessing to be around them every day," head coach Rob Bradley said. "Austin (Eoff) and Fernando (Barco) came in at the same time as I did, helping to set the tone and change the program. They have been ideal student-athletes, performing well in the classroom and on the course.
"We need to continue to develop our underclassmen and really hit the recruiting trail hard this summer. We have to make Purdue a destination for the top high school golfers in the state and the country. We'll continue to build our success and chip away at achieving more once we get on the national stage. I am proud of where the program is and excited for our future," Bradley added.
Purdue was led by senior Fernando Barco, who wrapped up his collegiate career with a 76th-place finish at 5-over par 221 (73-71-77). The Lima, Peru, native capped off his career by rolling in a 40-foot par putt on his final hole to end his career in style.
Barco finished as the team leader in stroke average at 72.66, good for eighth on the single-season chart at Purdue.
Sophomore Timmy Hildebrand ended his breakout season in a tie for 86th place at 6-over par 222 (70-77-75). Hildebrand finished the team leader in birdies (107) and had a 73.03 stroke average, good for 14th on the all-time Purdue list.
Senior Austin Eoff ended his career in a 125th-place tie at 12-over par 228 (79-72-77). The Purdue career leader in events played (54) and stroke average (72.82), Eoff played in every event during his four years at Purdue.
Sophomore Jarle Volden finished tied for 138th at 16-over par 232 (76-76-80), while freshman Thomas Lewis was 153rd at 21-over par 237 (81-76-80).
The Boilermakers were making their third national championships appearance in four years during the Bradley era. Bradley must replace Eoff and Barco, who combined to play 250 career rounds at Purdue, but he welcomes a highly-regarded recruiting class that features three players, including two ranked in the nation's top 250 in the junior rankings, as well as an international standout.
Purdue Ends Season at NCAA Golf
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