DES MOINES, Iowa – The Illinois State men's golf team shot rounds of 281 and 290 on the first day of the 2025 Missouri Valley Conference Championship, and the Redbirds are in second place, one shot below first-day leader Murray State.
Playing 36 holes on the day due to yesterday's round being postponed because of rain, Murray State's 570 narrowly edges out Illinois State's 571, while Belmont (581), Southern Illinois (585), Drake (586), Valparaiso (586), Northern Iowa (587), Bradley (596), Evansville (602), and Missouri State (613) chase behind the two leaders.
Pacing the Redbirds on the first day was TJ Barger, whose rounds of 68 and 73 (141, -3) have him tied for fifth place individually, four strokes away from the lead.