On the same weekend the world’s best professional golfers exhibited their prowess at The Masters, the Ohio State men’s golf team showed its mastery by winning the 14-team Marshall Invitational Saturday in Huntington, W. Va.

The Buckeyes posted a score of 847, nine strokes better than second-place Xavier. The team’s second-round score of 277 was also the best of the tournament.

Several Buckeyes stood out individually, as OSU placed four golfers in the field’s top 10.

Senior Kevin Hall received medalist honors with a final-round 65, tying a tournament record and setting a career best. By shooting a score of 206 for the tournament, Hall finished in the top spot for the first time in his career.

Junior Scott Anderson and freshman Colin Biles also placed high, tying for sixth with scores of 214. OSU senior Zach Doran grabbed the last spot in the Top 10 with a total score of 216.

OSU Coach Jim Brown said Biles’ play has been important to the team’s success.

“For a freshman, he’s done a really nice job for us,” Brown said.

Biles said his strong play is satisfying because it has come under the radar.

“I feel pretty good (about my play),” Biles said. “A lot of people didn’t expect me to play as well as I have.”

Doran and Anderson said they were happy with their performances but feel they could have done better.

“There were bright spots, but some things still need work,” Doran said.

“Individually, I felt pretty good,” Anderson said. “(My score) could have been lower though.”

Despite saying that there was room for improvement in their individual rounds, Doran and Anderson each said that this weekend’s win can be traced to a strong team performance.

“Team-wise, we didn’t play the best opening round and we came back,” Anderson said. “The last day was a total team effort.”

“We haven’t had a guy who has always played in the last group,” Doran said. “Our performance was really strong. I’m proud of our team.”

Brown said the win this weekend could spur the Buckeyes to more success as their season heads down the stretch run. He considers a win a possibility in every tournament.

“Hopefully it’s what this team needed – to win one,” Brown said. “I expect us to win every time. We have the capability to win, that’s why we go out and play.”

The Buckeyes will defend their home course Friday and Saturday in the 35th Annual Robert Kepler Intercollegiate.

Before their victory Saturday, the team’s last win was at the 2003 Kepler.

As for the rest of the season, Anderson said the win has the team looking at loftier goals than just winning a few tournaments.

“Our ultimate goal is to win at Big Tens and get back to NCAAs,” Anderson said. “We have high hopes right now.”