LOCKPORT, IL. – Junior Justin Watkins overtook teammate Dustin Harris and held on to win the Lewis Mixed Fall Classic Tuesday, as the Blue Tigers as a team finished second in the six-team Classic.
Watkins followed up a first round 72 with an even better second round 71 to bring his two-day total to 143 and a first overall finish, one-stroke better than Lewis University’s Casey Pyne.
“Justin played very well and shot one-under to take the tournament,” head coach Jerry Coffman said. “He tallied five birdies Tuesday in cold conditions and recorded his first win of his career.”
Freshman teammate Harris was within striking distance as well, after leading through the first round, he finished just four-strokes off the pace with a 147 (71-76) to place in a tie for third, as both Harris and Watkins landed on the All-Tournament Team.
“Dustin played well also and shot four-over par to finish in a solid position at third,” Coffman said.
The Blue Tigers 599 (293-306)entered the final round holding the lead and finished just two-strokes behind host Lewis University’s 597, which was enough to win the Classic.
“This was the first time with this young team that we had the chance to sleep on a lead,” Coffman said. “Now they know what that feeling is like and everyone is excited to get back out there for our next tournament.”
Sophomore Josh Roller finished in a tie for 10th after carting home a 154 (74-80). Junior Kyle Brands and freshman Dillon Maloney rounded out the scoring for the Blue Tigers, with Brands tallying a 155 (76-79) to finish in a tie for 14th, while Maloney’s 158 (76-82) placed him in 23rd.
The Blue Tigers will conclude the fall season when they travel to Destin, FL next Monday, October 19 for the Indian Bayou Golf Tournament.
Men's Golf Leading After First Round
LOCKPORT
The Blue Tigers lead the seven-team tournament after firing a 293, five-strokes better than host Lewis University.
Freshman Dustin Harris leads all players following his 71 (36-35) which has him just one-stroke ahead of junior teammate Justin Watkins, who currently is all alone in second with his 72 (35-37).
Sophomore Josh Roller sits in a tie for seventh and isn’t far behind Harris and Watkins, as he carted a first round 74 (35-39).
Freshman Dillon Maloney and junior Kyle Brands are tied for 14th after each of them opened with 76’s, as Maloney tallied his with a 35-41 score and Brands trimmed two-strokes off his first round score to finish with his 76 (39-37).
Competing as individuals, sophomores Kyle Brennaman and Jordan Morris also posted solid scores, as Brennaman’s 80 (42-38) has him in a tie for 27th, while Morris’ 81 (42-39) has him in a tie for 31st.
The Blue Tigers will wrap up the Lewis Fall Classic Tuesday beginning at 9 a.m.