Senior Josh Kirkham finished off the lowest 54-hole performance by a Brave since 2018-19 with a two-under 70 in the final round to tie for eighth and Bradley Men’s Golf finished fifth in the 15-team field at the season-opening Wildcat Invitational, which concluded Tuesday at the par-72 Colbert Hills Golf Club.
After firing a pair of 72’s during Monday’s opening rounds, Kirkham was even better on the final day as the senior carded a two-under 70 as he finished at two-under 214 in a tie for eighth to pace the Braves. Kirkham, who earned his fourth career top-10 finish, carded an eagle and four birdies Tuesday, going three-under on the final three holes thanks in part to his eagle on par-5, 590-yard first hole to kick off the final three-hole stretch.
Bradley capped off a strong season opener with a final-round 299 to finish at 888 (+24) to take fifth in the field. Tournament-host Kansas State ran away with the team title at 27-under 837 with North Dakota State (864) and Grand Canyon (872) rounding out the top three. The Braves finished 14 shots back of fourth-place Southern Illinois (874) and were three shots better than sixth-place Creighton (891).
Freshman Connor Hamm tied for 27th at 224 in his first collegiate tournament, wrapping things up with a final-round 77 as he finished five shots out of the top 20.
Graduate transfer Luke Armbrust finished two shots behind Hamm at 226 in a tie for 37th after a third-round 78.
Senior Roy Radke moved up 10 spots on the final day, using a two-over 74 to climb into a tie for 59th overall at 231. Fellow senior John Stillman wrapped up the team scoring for the Braves in a tie 67th (234), shooting an 82 in the third round.
Bradley returns to action next week, playing in the Valpo Fall Invitational in Chesterton, Ind., Sept. 19 & 20.
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