Strong winds hurt Minnesota’s men’s golf team’s scores on the second day of the National Invitational Tournament on Monday.

However, it also damaged nearly every other team’s scores in the tournament, held in Tucson, Ariz.

The 11th-ranked Gophers finished 1-over-par for the day and moved up to fourth place in the 11-team competition. Only two teams finished under par for the day.

Overall, Minnesota is 1-under-par for the three-day tournament, which wraps up today. Arizona State remained the leader with a two-day total of 9-under-par.

The Gophers are two strokes behind Arizona, the tournament’s host, for third place.

“It was extremely windy,” Gophers coach Brad James said. “It was pretty tough out there for everyone.”

Despite the windy conditions, Minnesota got impressive scores from three of its five golfers.

Ben Greve finished 3-under-par Monday and was the Gophers’ top finisher.

Greve, who moved into the rotation after Ryan Paulson suffered a shoulder injury, has impressed James with his consistent improvement.

“He needs to be in these situations more,” James said. “He played a great round. Every game, it seems he plays better.”

Bronson La’Cassie finished 1-under-par and Justin Smith finished even par for the day.

But the Gophers were hurt by their fourth and, especially, fifth golfers.

David Morgan finished 5-over-par and John Hempstock finished 13-over-par.

Hempstock’s two-day total of 23-over-par is the highest individual tournament score among the 60 players competing.

“We needed a fourth and fifth score today and we didn’t get it,” James said. “Otherwise, we would have moved up a lot more.”

Heading into the final day, Minnesota is only eight strokes out of the lead, a number that can be made up with a strong final-round performance.

“In golf,” James said, “that can easily be made up.”

Fornasiere honored

Minnesota sophomore shortstop Matt Fornasiere was named Big Ten baseball player of the week. It marked the second time this season a Minnesota player has received the honor.

Fornasiere claimed MVP honors in the Iowa Cubs/Hawkeye Classic as he went 7-for-9 with six runs, seven RBIs, one home run and two stolen bases.

Fornasiere was 4-for-5, with six RBIs and four runs against Iowa in a 19-7 victory Sunday. He also reached base four times and was 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI in a 12-6 victory over Northern Colorado on Saturday. Fornasiere delivered a game-winning, pinch-hit infield single in a 5-4 victory over Northern Illinois on Friday.