After a solid performance through two rounds of the Steve Kerr Invitational, the ISU men’s golf team found itself in fourth place and in position to contend during the final round.

The Cyclones ran into a roadblock during the final round on Saturday, however, struggling and falling into a tie for eighth.

“I was happy after the first day,” ISU head coach Jay Horton said.

“We had a shot to win the tournament and did so without Tyler [Swanson] playing well.

“Within the team, there is some youth and some frustration. On the last day we were searching for the answer and trying to find five guys who want to go forward.”

The Cyclones shot 307 in the third round, an 18-shot difference from the 289 they posted in the second round.

“That last round was a fluke,” senior Jeremy Lyons said. “I don’t have anything to explain [what happened]. We didn’t pull through and I don’t think I pulled my weight.

“I don’t know if there are any positives we can take from it other than we better not do it again, or we’re not going anywhere.”

The Cyclones had reached their fourth-place position even though their No. 1 golfer, Swanson, was struggling. Swanson recorded rounds of 78-77-79 to finish in a tie for 66th.

Without Swanson leading the way, Iowa State was looking for someone to step up, and they found a player who put together a spectacular second round.

Freshman Paul Huddle shot a 5-under-par 66 in the second round, tying six other Cyclone golfers — including teammates Swanson and Lyons — for the lowest round in school history.

“I was looking for guys to step up and Huddle did,” Horton said. “He really stepped up and seized the moment.”

Huddle’s career-low round was sandwiched between rounds of 78, knocking him down to a tie for 19th for the tournament.

Iowa State did get a consistent performance from Lyons, as rounds of 73-72-72 gave him a tie for ninth.

“Jeremy played great. The course was hard; it was a quirky course that didn’t allow you to hit many drivers and tested your patience and maturity,” Horton said.

“Jeremy, having been through a lot and being a senior, stuck to his game plan and played great. Any time you can get a top-10 finish you’ve played well.”

Lyons, however, said he was not happy with his performance.

“I’m not real pleased but it was better than I have been,” Lyons said.

“I hit the ball good enough to win the tournament, but my short game let me down.”

Sophomore Drew Dalziel rounded out the scoring for Iowa State, recording rounds of 74-74-78.

Corey Schultz and Clark Smith both competed as individuals, finishing in ties for 30th and 59th, respectively.