On a day where low rounds were needed to move into the title hunt, the ISU men’s golf team was unable to gain ground in the second round of the Badger Invitational in Madison, Wis.

Beginning the day 13 shots behind leader Sam Houston State University, Iowa State clawed its way back as close as five shots off the lead but failed to sustain its charge back up the leaderboard. With a 14-over-par total of 590, Iowa State sits 14 shots off the pace with 18 holes to play.

In posting a 6-over-par total of 294 in round two, the Cyclones improved on their first round score by two shots, but all five starters were unable to post under-par rounds that were needed to make a charge.

Sophomore Ruben Sondjaja, who held the lead early on in round one at 4-under-par, was unable to back up his hot start. He finished his first round with a triple-bogie on the 17th hole and posted a 73 in round two.

Nonetheless, at even-par and in a tie for fifth place, Sondjaja has an outside shot at a title sitting five shots off the lead and is Iowa State’s leader through two rounds.

Following behind Sondjaja was senior Scott Fernandez, who posted the team’s lowest round of the day with an even-par 72.

Fernandez had an up-and-down round in that he did not make a par until his seventh hole and finished with five birdies and five bogies. He is tied for 14th place with a 147 total.

Sophomore Nick Voke is in a tie for 22nd place with a 149 total. By entering the final round 10 shots off of the lead, he will be unable earn back-to-back medalist honors after he won the VCU Shootout on Sept. 23.

Voke, like Fernandez, is one of two Cyclones without a double-bogie or worse for the tournament.

Senior Sam Daley, who has posted rounds of 77 and 74, is good for a tie for 32nd place out of 79 golfers.

Redshirt junior Collin Foster is tied for 51st place with rounds of 76 and 79.

Sophomore Jack Carter, who is competing as an individual, is tied for 32nd place after posting rounds of 77 and 74.

Iowa State will tee off for the third and final round at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 30 at University Ridge Golf Course.