Musselman and Meyer Earn Career Best Finishes to Lead Cats

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Three Kentucky men’s golfers earned top-10 individual finishes to highlight the final round of play at the Kenny Perry Invitational on Tuesday. Junior Cooper Musselman and sophomore Fred Allen Meyer carded the best finishes of their careers, while Tyler “Chip” McDaniel scored his second-straight top-10 finish of the fall season. Musselman placed fifth overall, while Meyer and McDaniel tied for eighth. 

Kentucky fired a final round 285 which is good for 3-under par. It was the best round of the day for any team on the course as UK surged into fourth place overall for the tournament with the fantastic finish. 

Musselman notched a 4-under par, 68. It is the lowest round of the season for the Louisville, Kentucky, native and just one stroke off of his best-ever round. Meyer had a 69, while McDaniel posted a 2-under score in today’s action. 

What Head Coach Brian Craig is Saying: 

“We had good effort this week, but about as poor of execution as we have had in a long time. We just had way too many big numbers, especially on the back nine of the first round. Terrific playing by today by Cooper, Fred Allen and Chip to finish on a positive note. The best news is you really learn what you need to work on playing a course like Olde Stone. This place is fabulous and a true test of golf. We will evaluate and keep working hard to be the best we can be.”

About the Lineup:

Musselman was simply sensational for the Cats with a round featuring five birdies. His day opened to four-consecutive pars before posting red numbers on the next three holes. He birdied back-to-back par fours before coming in with a four on the par-five seventh. A birdie on No. 11 was followed by his only bogey of the day. Musselman capped his round in style with a birdie on the par-five 18th to help him rise into a top-five finish – the first of his career. It is his second-career top-10 finish. Musselman has garnered top-20 finishes in all three fall tournaments this season for UK.

Meyer was equally exceptional as he matched his career-low round with a final 18-hole score of 69. The Nicholasville, Kentucky, native managed to score his first-ever top-10 finish as he tied for eighth behind a bogey-free round. Meyer jumpstarted his round with a birdie on the par-five second. He then played flawless golf for the remaining front nine. He duplicated the sound play on the back nine while tacking on birdies on the 11th and 14th holes. 

McDaniel has now posted back-to-back top-10 finishes after tying for third at the Bearcat Invitational. He was 2-under for the day with a final round of 70. He fended off four bogeys with a team-high six birdies. With a top-10 finish today, McDaniel has now been among the top 10 individuals in 10 career events. 

Kentucky’s top individual on Monday – sophomore Fadhli Soetarson capped his tournament in a tie for 30th after an 80 in today’s round. Senior Stephen Stallings placed in a tie for 32nd, while freshman Allen Hamilton was 47th and junior Evan Cox was 57th.  

The Tournament Field:

Kentucky was the tournament’s biggest mover over the final 18 holes as the Wildcats improved two spots into fourth place. Eastern Kentucky took home the team crown with a 4-under par combined score. Jacksonville State finished in second, while Western Kentucky was third with a 7-over par score. UK was seven strokes off of the Hilltoppers’ pace for a top-three finish. 

Up Next for the Wildcats:

The Wildcats will return to action with a two-day event in Loxley, Alabama at the Steelwood Country Club, Oct. 29-30. UK will be among the field for the David Miller Collegiate Invitational for the first time in Craig’s tenure. 

The Club at Olde Stone

Bowling Green, Ky.

Oct. 10-11

Par: 72

Yardage: 7,200

4 – Kentucky (298-295-285-878, +14)

T5 – Cooper Musselman (73-74-68-215, -1)

T8 – Chip McDaniel (75-73-70-218, +2)

T8 – Fred Allen Meyer (75-74-69-218, +2)

*T30 – Fadhli Soetarso (75-71-80-226, +10)

T32 – Stephen Stallings (75-74-78-227, +11)

*T47 – Allen Hamilton (84-71-76-231, +15)

T57 – Evan Cox (76-79-80-235, +19) 

For the latest on the Kentucky men’s golf team, follow @UKMensGolf on Twitter and on the web at UKathletics.com.