What happened
Steady play throughout Tuesday’s second round from Illinois junior Ryan Voois and a big moment for freshman Trey Marrion with a rare eagle on the par-5 sixth hole kept the Illini atop the team leaderboard at the NCAA Urbana Regional at Atkins Golf Club. Voois’ 4-under 67 moved him into a tie for fourth place, with day one leader Jackson Buchanan just a stroke off the lead.
What it means
A late back nine swoon from Oklahoma State means Illinois heads into Wednesday’s final round at Atkins Golf Club with a three-stroke lead. The Cowboys had rallied to tie the Illini at 10-under before a flurry of bogeys on the final four holes. That leaves Illinois in sole possession of first place and with a 14-stroke gap on simply qualifying for the NCAA championship.
What’s next
Illinois’ intent isn’t to be one of the top five teams and simply qualify and lock in a trip to Carlsbad, Calif., for the NCAA championship May 23-28 at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa. The Illini intend to be the winners by the time Wednesday’s final round is complete in Urbana. That would be a second straight NCAA regional title and seventh in Mike Small’s tenure as coach.
What was said
“I think it’s a great host for a regional. It’s played different than we’ve ever seen it play before. … We’ve gotten lucky with the weather. I don’t know if you guys have been to our spring event, but (the weather is) traditionally pretty terrible. The course has been set up really well. It’s going to reward good players and good play, and it definitely has done that.” — Voois