Yturraldo Shatters Records and Leads CMU Men’s Golf to Victory – Central Michigan University Athletics

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Central Michigan men’s golf team is on fire at the Earl Yestingmeier Invitational.

Philippe Yturralde set a new record with a stunning 64 in the second round. This score is a first for the program, and he tied the record for the best score in relation to par. His impressive round helped the Chippewas climb the team rankings significantly.

After starting with a 287, CMU posted a remarkable 270 in the second round, setting two new team scoring records. Their total of 557 after 36 holes also beats their previous best of 570 from just last week.

CMU coach Kevin Jennings praised his players for their hard work and energy. “We have some players with two to four years of Division I experience,” Jennings said. “Their dedication and skills are shining through. When you combine those qualities, great things happen.”

After the strong second round, CMU moved from a tie for ninth place to sixth among 13 teams. They are just three shots behind Belmont and five behind Robert Morris. Jennings highlighted the importance of sticking to their strategy and improving their course management, which made all the difference in the second round.

Ball State currently leads the tournament with a total score of 536, while CMU’s second round tied them for the best second-round score of the day.

Yturralde, who had a rocky start with a 71 in the first round, made seven birdies and only one bogey in the second round. This improvement helped him climb 24 spots to tie for seventh, now six shots behind Ball State’s Luke Johnston, who’s at 11-under after rounds of 65-64.

Yturralde previously held the program’s scoring record with a 66 last March in Myrtle Beach. His teammate, Keith Hunter, also shined with a 66, tying for the fifth-best score of the round.

“Tenacity and resilience,” Jennings said, reflecting on their performance. He emphasized the mental aspect of golf, helping his players focus and push through challenges.

Other players also made strides. Jeffrey Andrus improved from a 72 to a 69, while freshman Hudson Vedder posted a 71 after starting with a 76. Jeffrey Sager had a tougher second round, ending with a total of 149, while Nicholas Kilgore scored 158.

The final round of this 54-hole tournament is expected to be exciting, with many teams still in contention.

In recent years, golf has seen a rise in young talent, with college teams becoming increasingly competitive. Stats show that golf participation has surged, especially among younger players. According to the National Golf Foundation, there has been a 20% increase in youth golfers since 2019. This means more emerging talents like Yturralde and others who could shape the future of the sport.

As the Chippewas gear up for the final round, fans are eager to see if they can maintain their momentum. Follow along as they attempt to make more history on the course.



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