Once again, the ISU men’s golf team put itself in a position to win but couldn’t seal the deal.

The team finished fourth at the Johnny Owens Invitational in Lexington, Ky., placing behind tournament champion Eastern Kentucky, host Kentucky and Louisiana-Monroe, respectively.

“The one thing I’m proud of is that this is the third straight tournament where we’ve played in the final group,” ISU head coach Jay Horton said. “To be in contention for a win is a big accomplishment. The guys are putting themselves in position to win.”

Earlier in the week, the Cyclones recorded a third-place finish at the Stevinson Ranch Invitational and took eighth at the Steve Kerr Invitational in the meet before that. Solid scores in the first and second rounds have put Iowa State in a position to win, but the team hasn’t been able to break through.

“We need to find ways to turn [rounds of] 77, 78 or 79 into 74s or better,” Horton said. “They’re in the hunt, but we’re looking to win tournaments, not to see where we finish.”

Horton hopes each knock on the door of victory will bring his team one step closer to being able to break through.

“They’re learning how to win and you have to get in position to win to know what its like,” Horton said. “They’re going to grow from this and get better.”

Jeremy Lyons continued his improved individual play, recording his third consecutive top 10 finish. Rounds of 71-74-70 were good for third place, and his 2-under par 70 during the final round was the lowest round of the day.

“Jeremy is playing terrific golf,” Horton said. “He played great [Saturday]. The wind kicked up, it was just cold and windy. His 70 was a terrific round.”

Course conditions were less then ideal for players throughout the tournament.

“The golf course played really tough all tournament,” Horton said. “It was cold the first round, it was raining sideways and it was only 38 degrees.”

Horton said playing in unfavorable weather conditions helps his squad get ready for those situations in future meets.

“These conditions are preparing for what we’re going to face at Prairie Dunes in Big 12s,” Horton said.

Sophomore Tyler Swanson shot rounds of 77-70-79 to tie for 17th place. Drew Dalziel (T35), Curtis Foster (T41) and Paul Huddle (T51) rounded out the scoring for Iowa State.

Swanson’s tie for 17th comes on the heels of a first-place finish in Iowa State’s last meet.

“Tyler was disappointed with his performance,” Horton said. “He had one bad hole in the first and third rounds that cost him. He’s never happy with shooting 79 in the final round, and he knows he can improve on his performance.”