Illini Men’s Golf In the Pros | April 24

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini men’s golf alum Nick Hardy captured the first victory of his PGA Tour career over the weekend, pairing with Davis Riley to shoot a record 30-under en route to the title at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

A message from your @Zurich_Classic champs, @NickHardy8 and @DavisRiley68 ?? pic.twitter.com/ajd8Ot91Ny

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 23, 2023

With the win, Hardy vaulted up the FexEx Cup standings, jumping from 95^th to 39^th, where he sits just one spot below fellow Illini alum Thomas Detry.

Big congratulations to Illini alum @NickHardy8 and partner Davis Riley on winning the @Zurich_Classic at 258 (-30)!

With the victory, Hardy claims his first win on the PGA TOUR.#Illini // #HTTO pic.twitter.com/YNFflt0qbd

— Illinois Men’s Golf (@IlliniMGolf) April 23, 2023

Hardy was one of four former Illini in action in New Orleans. Detry paired with Victor Perez to finish tied for 13^th, while Steve Stricker (with Zach Johnson) and D.A. Points (with Jimmy Walker) were also playing in the event.

Now, the calendar rolls over to Week 17 of the 2023 schedule, and Points and Stricker are back in action along with a pair of former Illini competing on the Korn Ferry Tour.

PGA TOUR

Points, a three-time PGA Tour winner, is set to tee off this week at the Mexico Open at Vidanta in Vallarta, Mexico. The event will be played at Vidante Vallarta (Par 71, 7,456 yards).

Points also played in the Mexico Open at Vidante in 2021-22, finishing 67^th.

PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS

Stricker will be back on the PGA Tour Champions this week after competing at the Zurich Classic. Stricker, a 12-time winner on the PGA Tour, is set to play at the Insperity Invitational, hosted at The Woodlands Country Club (Par 72, 7,002 yard) in The Woodlands, Texas.

Last year, Stricker finished second at the Insperity Invitational, and enters play this week in search of his second PGA Tour Champions win of the year.

KORN FERRY TOUR

The Korn Ferry Tour schedule will make a stop in Huntsville, Ala., where Michael Feagles and Brian Campbell will both be in action at The Ledges Golf Course (Par 70, 7,114 yards).