Strong closing stretch carries ISU’s McCulla to best collegiate finish

CINCINNATI — Consistency carried Alex McCulla to the best finish of his collegiate career.

The Quincy Notre Dame graduate played the final 10 holes of the Bearcat Invitational at Coldstream Country Club in 3-under par, helping the Illinois State University men’s golf team finish fourth in a talented field while McCulla tied for second individually.

Cincinnati won the team title with an 845, followed by UNC-Greenville (846) and Louisville (847). The Redbirds shot an 853.

McCulla, the ISU sophomore, shot a 6-under 207 over 54 holes, tying with Cincinnati’s Ty Gingerich. They finished one stroke behind the Bearcats’ Sam Jean, who posted back-to-back rounds of 4-under 67 to finish at 7-under 206.

This is McCulla’s first top-five finish of his career and highest individual place. His second-round 4-under 67 was his lowest collegiate round to date.

He has shot par or better in four of his eight rounds this season, including all three this week. McCulla opened with an even-par 71 and followed it up with rounds of 4-under 67 and 2-under 69. He made 10 birdies, one eagle and six bogeys, but he made just two bogeys over his final 31 holes.

McCulla had two top-10 finishes as a freshman when his low round was a 69 in the second round of the Little Rock Invitational last October.