After a tough first round at the NCAA Championships, the UCLA
men’s golf team is in eighth place overall, but only four
strokes off the lead.
As a team, the Bruins shot a 303 (15-over par) but are one of 13
teams within seven strokes of the leaders at Karsten Creek Golf
Club in Stillwater, Okla.
There is a four-way tie for first between host Oklahoma State,
North Carolina State, Clemson and Auburn at 299 (11-over par).
“The course is playing so difficult that teams will not be
going under par,” UCLA junior Travis Johnson said in a
statement. “It’s a real test of patience, and our team
just has to hang in there. We’ll get it done.”
Johnson had UCLA’s best individual finish with a 74
(two-over par) that puts him tied for 21st overall. He was the only
Bruin who managed not to get a double bogey.
UCLA junior John Merrick started out strong with three birdies
in his first four holes. But like most of the field, his back nine
(he started at the 10th hole) was significantly better than his
front nine, and he finished tied for 29th overall with a 75
(three-over par).
Roy Moon took only one more shot than Merrick but is tied for
44th with a first-round 76 (four-over par).
Steve Conway had the highest of the four scores that counted for
UCLA on day one, with a 78 (six-over par) that leaves him tied for
72nd overall. Conway could’ve finished higher but
double-bogeyed the eighth and ninth holes, his last of the day, as
he started on the 10th hole.
Since only the top four scores count, John Poucher’s
first-round of 80 (eight-over par) was not included in the
Bruins’ overall score. It was his worst round as a
collegian.
“We had a 40-minute delay today because the course was
playing so difficult,” Johnson said. “The rough is real
high, and guys are taking a long time to find their
ball.”
The Bruins will tee off the second round today at 5:30 a.m. The
third and fourth rounds will be held Thursday and Friday,
respectively.
Individually, Auburn’s Lee Williams is leading the rest of
the pack with a first-round 69 (three-under par).
Lamar’s Chris Stroud and Augusta State’s Oliver
Wilson are one stroke back at 70 (two-under par). Stroud is playing
as an individual qualifier.
The Bruins are looking for their first national championship
since 1988.