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Illinois Fighting Illini men’s golf ready to make title run

By Rees Woodcock

Jan 21, 2017; La Quinta, CA, USA; A detailed view of a golf ball stack during the third round of the CareerBuilder Challenge at PGA West - Stadium Course. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; La Quinta, CA, USA; A detailed view of a golf ball stack during the third round of the CareerBuilder Challenge at PGA West - Stadium Course. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Illinois Fighting Illini men’s golf team embarks on another national title run starting on Monday.

Illinois is in the first group of teams teeing off at 8 am EST. They are playing with the University of Florida and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.  These two teams are going to be in the running for the NCAA West Lafayette Regional title.

The Illini are playing some of the best golf of the season heading into this title run. They are coming off a Big Ten Championship victory in which they lapped the field shooting -11 with the second place team shooting +5.

While the entire team is playing well right now, junior Dylan Meyer is the anchor to this title contending team. He was Medalist at the Big Ten Championship shooting a three-round total of -5. Right behind Meyer was Nick Hardy who shot -1 for the tournament. He finished in sixth place in the Big Ten Championship.

Meyer and Hardy are going to have to continue playing well heading into the West Lafayette Regional. This is a regional that they can win because I don’t see a top level team. Illinois is the best in this regional and a heavy favorite to advance out, even though they only have to finish in the top five to advance to the Finals.

If Illinois plays like they did in the Big Ten Championship I have no doubts they will advance through to the Finals of the NCAA tournament. While Meyer and Hardy will be the anchors, the Illini still have to find two other golfers to throw up low scores.

Edoardo Lipparelli could be one of the low scores the Illini put up. He is also coming off a nice showing at the Big Ten Championship shooting Even for the tournament and finishing eighth. Giovanni Tadiotto came in at +2 and finished 10th, and Michael Feagles was the No. 5 man for the Illini shooting +7 and still finishing in 23rd place.

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Many teams have a hard time finding depth in the golf world. These teams are usually top heavy and then can’t find their No. 3 and No. 4 golfers to compete for titles. Illinois has the depth to compete with any team in the nation. They are ready for the challenge and hopefully, this is the year the bring home the championship.

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