After a below average performance last week in Texas, the Iowa State men’s golf team rebounded well to take second place at the Kansas Invitational in Lawrence on Monday and Tuesday.

The Cyclones finished with 54-hole total of 874, 19 shots behind the host team and powerhouse Kansas Jayhawks.

Head coach Jamie Bermel said the Cyclones played “pretty solid” and had a “good finish” to finish second.

Jason Knutzon once again led the team, firing a 2-under par total of 214 (72-73-69) to tie for fourth. That makes consecutive tournaments finishing in the top 10 for him. Cory Braunschweig also finished in the top 10, shooting a 217 (73-73-71) to tie for ninth.

Matt Lewis tied for 17th; Jon Brackmann tied for 37th; and Scott Hart tied for 57th to round out the Cyclone squad.

“Scott struggles a little now and then,” Bermel said. “He is very close to being great on this team. He really helped up out the final day when others were struggling. All he needs is some confidence.”

There was rain on Monday, resulting in only about 30 holes being played. Bermel said “it wasn’t the best conditions” but they did “keep the course in good shape for the tournament.”

Bermel was impressed with Braunschweig’s play, even after he broke his driver in the first round.

“He hit the ball poorly, but he still found ways to play well,” Bermel said. “He has played the course [Alvamar] before and really likes the greens there.”

Knutzon, who Bermel said “missed a couple of putts,” finished only four shots from taking medalist honors, which was accomplished by Chris Thompson of Kansas.

“Jason played solidly all over the course,” Bermel said. “He especially had a good weekend for us.”

The Invitational consisted of six Big 12 teams, with all but two (Missouri and Texas Tech) finishing in the top 10 overall.

“It was a good field,” Bermel said. “Kansas is always solid and nearly invincible on their home course. Nebraska [who tied for fourth] finished 17th in the nation last year. Baylor also has a good team. The tournament was pretty well-rounded.”

Some of the teams in the Big 12, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in particular, were not at the tournament, but are considered very good teams.

“The Big 12 this year is very good and competitive,” Bermel said. “I kind of expected the results at this meet because the teams in the Big 12 are really good.”

The Cyclones will next travel to Ft. Collins, Colorado to participate in the Ram Intercollegiate September 28-29 at Ft. Collins Country Club.

“This will be one of the best fields we have played in a long time,” Bermel said. “Oklahoma will be there as well Nebraska. Pepperdine [who won the NCAA title in 1997] will be there. Colorado State, a very good team, will also be there. It will be a really good test for us.”

Bermel also said “there is a nice mixing of Western Athletic Conference teams as well as Big 12 teams.”

“We have had some more good practices this week,” Bermel said. “I would like to see us finish in the top two or three, but we could finish anywhere from first to 10th.”