WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – Tucker D'Allaird and
Joseph Kortan each sit inside the top 20 individually as the North Dakota men's golf team opened its title defense with a strong first day at the Zach Johnson Invitational on Monday from Glen Oaks Country Club.
The Fighting Hawks fired rounds of 287 and 291 to sit tied for fifth at 578 after 36 holes. UND is tied with fellow Summit League programs Omaha and North Dakota State and sits five strokes behind host Drake for fourth. North Dakota enters the tournament as the defending team champion.
D'Allaird continued his strong fall with another consistent day, firing a 1-under 70 in the opening round before following with a 72. His even-par 142 has him tied for 16th heading into Tuesday's final round.
The junior was also one of the most productive players in the field in terms of birdies, carding 10 over the opening 36 holes to tie for fourth among all players. He played the par-4 holes at even par, tied for eighth-best in the field.
Kortan matched D'Allaird at 142 after saving his best golf for the second round. Following an opening 73, Kortan carded a 2-under 69 in the afternoon to move into a tie for 16th. He also recorded UND's lone eagle of the day and played the par-5 holes at 3 under.
Nathan Peyerl helped get the Fighting Hawks off to a strong start with a 1-under 70 in the opening round before finishing with a 77 in Round 2. He sits tied for 40th at 147 and was 1 under on the par-3 holes through 36 holes, tied for sixth-best in the field.
Kagan Kollar responded from an opening 78 with a 73 in the second round to sit tied for 56th at 151, while
Carson Skarperud posted rounds of 74 and 79 and is tied for 63rd at 153.
Landon Miller, competing as an individual for North Dakota, also put together a steady opening day with rounds of 71 and 73. Miller sits 25th at 2-over 144.
As a team, North Dakota recorded 32 birdies over the first two rounds, tied for fourth-most in the 13-team field. UND also played the par-3 holes at 3.20, tied for sixth, while carrying a 4.19 average on the par 4s.
North Dakota closes out the Zach Johnson Invitational with Tuesday's final round. The event is the penultimate tournament of the Fighting Hawks' fall schedule.
For more information on North Dakota men's golf, follow on social media @UNDmgolf or visit FightingHawks.com,
