Oklahoma Christian, NSU, UCO improve in Las Vegas Desert Invitational
LAS VEGAS (March 4, 2019) – Garrett White and Trevor Norby both shot under-par rounds and No. 9 Oklahoma Christian moved up a spot to sixth on Monday in the second round of the Las Vegas Desert Invitational at Royal Links Golf Club’s Links Replica Course. Northeastern State improved 14 shots over its first round to move into seventh and Central Oklahoma is in 12th despite improving by 16 shots in round two.
White, a senior from Lindale, Texas, recorded four birdies and an eagle – on the par-5 No. 15 – on the 6,692-yard course for a 4-under-par 68, an eight-shot improvement over his first round. He moved into a tie for 12th place in the 85-man field at even-par 144, six shots behind the leader, Jake Stevenson of No. 10 St. Mary’s (Texas).
Norby, a junior from Carlsbad, Calif., also had four birdies and finished with a 70, a five-shot improvement from Sunday. At 145, he stood in a tie for 16th individually.
Like White and Norby, OC sophomore Andres Brictson had four birdies, eventually finishing with a 74 that put him tied for 20th at 146. OC senior Juan Pallach opened the round with an eagle at the par-5 No. 9 and shot a 75 for the second straight day. He ended the day tied for 39th at 150.
Senior Cameron Brown’s 76 was a three-shot improvement over his first round and he was tied for 59th at 155 with another OC senior, Grady Neal, who’s playing the tournament as an individual. Neal shot a 72 on Monday, an 11-shot improvement.
The Eagles posted a team score of 287 – 1-under-par – and had a two-round score of 585. No. 3 West Florida led the 15-team event at 566, followed by tournament host Missouri-St. Louis at 569, St. Mary’s at 573, Texas-Tyler at 582 and Redlands (Calif.) at 583. Four top-25 teams, including OC, are playing in the event, which will end Tuesday.
Jax Johnson led the way for NSU with a second-round 68 which moved him into a tie for 12th. Ty Shelnut is tied for 20th after a 72. Tyler Ashman shot 73 and Carlos Gomez 74 for the Riverhawks. Grant Hynes shot 78.
Alexander Hughes bounced back from an opening 79 with a second-round 69 to pace UCO. Cody Troutman, Blake Murray and Jacobb Lackey each shot 74 while Joe Lemieux came in at 76.