Peoria, Ill. - Sophomore All-American Connor Watson fired a 2-under par (211) to finish as the Individual Runner-Up at the Bradley University Coyote Creek Classic held on Sunday and Monday. It was Watson's third individual runner-up finish this fall to go along with two individual tournament titles.

As a team, the Cougars finished sixth in the tourney which was a two-round, 36-hole day format.
 
"I can't thank Bradley Men's Golf Coach Jeff Roche and Bradley Athletic Director Chris Reynolds enough for providing our team an opportunity to compete in an NCAA Division I golf tournament," coach Sean Kennedy said. "Our freshmen struggled, yet were able to discover the water is pretty deep in that swimming pool. But on a positive note, the experience the freshmen gained will prove invaluable as we continue our quest to return to the NJCAA Championship next May."
 
Round 1
Bradley senior Carter Stevenson immediately vaulted to the top of the leaderboard opening with a 5 under par 66, but Watson posted a steady 2 under par 69 while Quinn Cox, a 2025 ICC men's golf alum and current Bradley senior, matched Watson's opening round 69. 

"Connor's morning round was just really mature golf," Kennedy noted. "He stayed patient, didn't take any unnecessary risks, and positioned himself correctly." 
 
Round 2
The wind picked up Sunday afternoon causing the greens to dry out and become treacherously quick. Stevenson and Cox struggled to maintain their momentum, while Watson took advantage. 

The Cougar sophomore immediately started Round 2 with an eagle to gain some leaderboard separation. For the day, he posted a second consecutive solid 2 under par 69, but late tree trouble trimmed his five-shot lead down to an overnight three-stroke advantage over Stevenson and five shots over another former Cougar, University of Illinois Springfield's Peyton Woods.
 
Round 3
Stevenson started strong, making a a torrid, immediate charge with birdies on four of his first five holes. Watson's start was steady but tepid and after five holes, his three-shot lead was now a two-shot deficit. 

Stevenson and Watson traded blows the remainder of Round 3, and it seemed obvious it would come down to the final hole.

Standing on the opposite side of the golf course of Stevenson, Watson faced a one-shot deficit on the treacherous risk/reward par 5 Hole #3. Unfortunately, his tee shot found tree trouble while Stevenson birdied his final hole to win by two shots, causing Watson to "settle" for his third runner-up finish of the fall campaign. 
 
"My phone was pretty busy Sunday and Monday night," Kennedy said. "Quite a few coaches discovered what I already knew, which is that Connor Watson is a Division I talent. He will be a terrific addition to someone's squad next fall."
 
 Results: https://scoreboard.clippd.com/tournaments/246152/scoring/player?displayMode=stroke
 
 WHATS NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Cougar Clash at Atkins
Monday, Oct. 12 at 8:00 am
Atkins Golf Club
Urbana, IL