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Hawkeyes Finish Eighth in Season Opener, Tjoa Cracks Top 10

Sports

September 7th, 2025 by Jack McGonigal

LOUDON, Tenn. – The University of Iowa men’s golf team finished play at the Visit Knoxville Collegiate at Tennessee National Golf Club on Sunday. The Hawkeyes placed tied for eighth overall at 18-over par.
Junior Max Tjoa led the Hawkeyes with a one-over-par 71 in the final round to finish tied for 10th at two-under-par (208). The Cedar Falls, Iowa, native tallied three birdies on the back nine to add to his 14 birdies on the weekend.
Sophomore Chance Rinkol delivered Iowa’s second-best round of the day with a two-over-par 72. Rinkol posted birdies on holes 15 and 17 and finished tied for 64th at 12-over par (228).
Redshirt freshman Grant Gudgel shot a six-over-par 76 in the final round, highlighted by a one-under back nine, to finish tied for 43rd at seven-over-par (217).
Freshman Bennett Warren closed with a seven-over 77, highlighted by birdies on holes four and 11. Warren finished the week tied for 49th at eight-over par (218).
Senior Gage Messingham rounded out Iowa’s lineup with a seven-over 77, placing him in a tie for 64th at 12-over par (228).
HAWKEYE SCORECARD
T8/16 Team 286 (+6) 276 (-4) 296 (+16) 858 (+18)
T10 Max Tjoa 67 (-3) 70 (E) 71 (-1) 208 (-2)
T43 Grant Gudgel 71 (+1) 70 (E) 76 (+6) 217 (+7)
T49 Bennett Warren 72 (+2) 69 (-1) 77 (+7) 218 (+8)
T64 Gage Messingham 78 (+8) 67 (-3) 77 (+7) 222 (+12)
T64 Chance Rinkol 76 (+6) 74 (+4) 72 (+2) 222 (+12)
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH TYLER STITH
“We really struggled on the front nine. The opening few holes were straight into the wind and we didn’t make enough pars. We were in position but failed to convert any putts. That was story today, we didn’t putt well enough to save pars or convert birdie chances and we let a few teams catch us that shouldn’t have.  Credit to the guys for battling on the back nine. Their effort saved us a few spots.”
 
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will compete in the Highlands Invitational Invite on Sept. 15-16, at Chicago Highlands Club.