The Minnesota men's golf team battled high winds this afternoon at the Big Ten Championships at Windsong Farm and moved into eighth place. The Gophers were led by a four-over par round of 75 by junior Donald Constable.

Defending conference champion Illinois holds a 12-shot lead entering the final round with a +10 score of 862. Michigan is +22 with a score of 874. The Gophers stand at +43 with a score of 895. Just one player shot under par this afternoon with the wind producing some high scores. Consistent winds blew all afternoon at 20-25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. The Wolverines' Matt Thompson turned in a three-under 69 while just three players shot even par.

Constable played a consistent round, finishing with 12 straight pars en route to a 75. His only hiccup came on the par 4 15th hole when he took a double bogey. He is in a tie for 17th place at +8 (221). Senior Thomas Campbell continued strong play with a five-over 76 and is in 21st at +9 (222). Senior Ben Pisani also handled the inclement weather well, finishing with a five-over 76. He moved up eight spots in the standings to a tie for 39th at +17 (230).

Sophomore Derek Chang carded a 78 and sits in a tie for 34th at +14 (227) while freshman Erik Van Rooyen posted a score of 79 to move into a tie for 36th at +15 (228).

The average score in the field was more than three shots higher than either of the first two rounds of play at 77.25 (+6.25). The first round average was 74.04 while the second round was 73.20.

Tomorrow's final round commences at 8 a.m.