For the first time under new coach Glen Millican, Missouri men’s golf are winners. Looking to bounce back from a 10th place finish in the Mirabel Maui Jim Invitational last week, Missouri tied for first with Wake Forest in the inaugural Chicago Highlands Invitational earlier this week at the Chicago Highlands Club. 

Missouri finished 31-under par to share the first-place crown in the first edition of the new tournament. The Tigers crushed their score from the first two tournaments of the season, as they finished 13-under-par both times. Entering Tuesday in third place, The Tigers were able to pass Virginia and find themselves even with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons by day’s end. This win is the Tigers’ first tournament victory in over a year, with their last win coming at last year’s season opener at the Turning Stone Tiger Intercollegiate. 

Pacing the Tigers was senior Jack Lundin. Lundin had his best performance of the young season, finishing 11-under par with a score of 205 (68-69-68). This was good enough to earn him a second place title for the second time this season. The South Dakota native picked up two eagles throughout the tournament, including one on the 18th hole of his final round, helping his team’s late surge to the top of the standings. 

Sophomore Virgilio Paz continued his strong start to the season, finishing in fifth place. This was his first time earning a spot in the top five in his collegiate career. The New Mexico transfer carded a new career-low of 207 (68-67-72), breaking a mark that he set just last week. Like Lundin, Paz also scored two eagles, his first two of the season. 

Fifth year Charlie Crockett joined Lundin and Paz in the top 10, finishing the tournament in eighth place, shooting 7-under par with 209 strokes (68-71-70). This was his first time finishing in the top 10 this season, as well as his first time finishing a tournament under-par since the start of the 2023-24 campaign. Crockett also picked up an eagle on the fifth hole of his first round. 

Sophomore Alfons Bondesson returned to action in style after not participating in the Mirabel Maui Jim Invitational. He finished with a season-best score of 212 (74-69-69), beating his score from the season opener two weeks ago by one stroke. This put him in a tie for 15th place with two other participants. 

The lone Tiger to finish above par was freshman Adam Miller. Miller shot a career high 238 (79-78-81), going 22-over par. He placed last out of the 78 golfers participating in the tournament. 

Next up on the schedule for the Tigers is the SEC Fall Preview, taking place on September 25th, 26th and 27th in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Edited by Quentin Corpuel | qcorpuel@themaneater.com

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