Rice University
Rod Myers Invitational
Whitehead Ties for Second at Rod Myers Invitational
10/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Oct. 11, 2010
Rod Myers Invitational Final Results 
DURHAM, N.C. - For the second straight week, Rice University senior Michael Whitehead settled for a runner-up finish at an intercollegiate event, tying for second Monday at the Rod Myers Invitational played at the Duke University Golf Club.
Whitehead finished one stroke back of medalist Albin Choi of North Carolina State. Choi rebounded from being three-over after the first two holes of Monday's final round to birdie four holes on the front nine then played par golf over the final 10 holes.
Whitehead entered the day with a share of the lead. Starting his round on the back nine, he birdied the second and third holes. After a bogey on No. 13, he got a shot back at No. 14 with a birdie on the 550-yard, par 5 hole. He made the turn at one-under par and holding a share of the lead.
But a bogey at No. 2 moved him back to even par for the round. And a bogey on the No. 9 finishing hole dropped him to second with most of the leaders still on the course.
Choi's play on the back nine sealed the individual title with a three-round score of 211 (-5). Whitehead was one of three golfers to finish at four-under, tying Iowa's Brad Hopfinger and Minnesota's Donald Constable.
In addition to a pair of runner-up finishes the past two weeks, Whitehead has a total of three, Top 5s and enters the final tournament of the fall season with a 71.41 strokes per round average.
"Obviously, Michael has continued to play extremely well," said Rice head coach Drew Scott. "He has given himself plenty of chances to score every round. His mindset each week is he is going to win a golf tournament. He has been knocking on the door. He didn't play well down the stretch today but that is making him more and more hungry."
Rice finished 11th in the team standings after improving on their two Sunday rounds. The Owls shot a 293 Monday to finish with a three-round score of 891 (297-301-293).
No. 13 Iowa shot an even-par 288 team score on Monday en route to capturing the team championship by five strokes over No. 14 North Carolina State. The Hawkeyes had a 13-under par, 851 three-round score (277-286-288) while the Wolfpack finished with an 856 (283-286-287). No. 41 Charlotte finished third with a three-round score of 860.
"Even though we finished 11th, I feel like we are still making progress in the right direction," Scott said. "We are trying to get the experience we need for spring when it really, really matters."
The Owls close out the fall season when they compete at the David Toms Intercollegiate hosted by LSU next Monday and Tuesday.
Players Mentioned
