Jelley wins first collegiate title as OSU rolls
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Oklahoma State’s men’s golf team cruised to a nine-shot victory on Sunday at the John Hayt Collegiate Invitational at Sawgrass Country Club, winning the event for the second time in three years with a 6-under total of 858.
The Cowboys entered the day with a four-stroke lead over the field before firing an 11-under 277 to finish nine shots clear of North Florida. The win was OSU’s second of the year after opening its fall slate with a victory at The Carmel Cup.
Brendon Jelley made it a clean sweep for the Cowboys. The sophomore picked up his first collegiate victory, finishing at 9-under 207 to better the field by four shots. Jelley closed with a 3-under 69 to maintain his hold on the top spot after entering the day leading by three.
Jelley got off to a quick start with a birdie at the first before moving back to level par for the day with a bogey at the third. He would move back into red figures for good with a birdie at the sixth and turned at 2-under 34 after carding a birdie at the ninth. Jelley got to 3-under par for the day with a birdie at the 11th and countered a bogey at the 12th with a birdie at the 13th. He closed out his round with five consecutive pars to sew up the victory.
Senior Jordan Niebrugge fired a closing 66 to move into sole possession of fifth place at 215. Niebrugge blistered the par-72, 6,966-yard layout with seven birdies on the day to climb 16 spots in the standings and earn his second top five of the year.
Competing individually, freshman Zach Bauchou earned a top 10 as well, tying for eighth place at 218 after finishing with a 71.
Junior Wyndham Clark moved up three spots and finished alone in 11th place at 219 after signing for a 71 as well.
Freshman Nick Heinen posted his second consecutive 71 to finish at 220 and tied for 12th place. Heinen was joined at 220 by junior teammate Zachary Olsen, who also carded a 71 on Sunday.
Like Bauchou, Kristoffer Ventura competed as an individual. The sophomore tied for 30th place at 224 after signing for a 72 during his final round.
The Cowboys will be back in action on March 7 when they begin play at the Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters in Las Vegas.
Tulsa finished in 12th place after a final round 293. Tulsa’s top four were all freshman, led by redshirt freshman Sam Humphreys.
Humphreys shot a final round 74 and finished the 54 holes with a score of 222. Marc Kepka finished in 40th place after a round of 73 put him at 227. Jack Knoesel not only turned in Tulsa’s best round of the day, but for the entire tournament with a 2-under par 70. He finished with a total score of 231 for 59th place. Preston Crawford shot 76 to finish at 233 and placed 67th overall. Sophomore Francisco Yanez placed 85th overall with a score of 241.
Tulsa will be in action next at the Auburn Tiger Invitational, March 6-8, in Opelika, Alabama.
Team Results
1. Oklahoma State 300-281-277=858
2. North Florida 293-292-282=867
3. Jacksonville 299-294-288=881
4. Tennessee 305-288-290=883
5. East Carolina 310-289-290=889
6. UAB 307-289-294=890
7. Louisville 301-299-291=891
8. UCLA 303-296-295=894
T9. Liberty 305-302-290=897
T9. North Texas 302-297-298=897
11. Army 315-293-298=897
12. Tulsa 315-300-293=908
13. Furman 313-301-301=915
14. Coastal Carolina 303-311-304=918
15. UCF 321-312-294=927
Tulsa Individuals
T22. Sam Humphreys 75-73-74=222
T40. Marc Kepka 79-75-73=227
T59. Jack Knoesel 78-83-70=231
T67. Preston Crawford 84-73-76=233
85. Francisco Yanez 83-79-79=241
Top-5 Individuals
1. Brendon Jelley, Oklahoma State 70-68-69=207 (-9)
2. Phillip Knowles, North Florida 70-71-70=211 (-5)
3. Raul Pereda, Jacksonville 71-74-68=213 (-3)
4. Andrew Alligood, North Florida 77-69-68=214 (-2)
5. Jordan Niebrugge, Oklahoma State 77-72-66=215 (-1)