Oklahoma Christian, Pulcini in lead at Dallas Baptist Invitational

DENTON, Texas (April 5, 2021) – Oklahoma Christian seized control with two under-par team rounds and freshman Mateo Pulcini held a share of the individual lead after the first day of the Dallas Baptist Patriot Classic on Monday at Wildhorse Golf Course at Robson Ranch.

No. 19-ranked Oklahoma Christian, seeking its fourth tournament win of the 2020-21 season, posted team rounds of 284 and 283 and the Eagles’ overall score of 567 (7-under) put them atop the 14-team field, five shots ahead of St. Mary’s (Texas) and 13 ahead of Texas A&M-Commerce.

Pulcini, from Rio Cuarto, Argentina, had his best day as a collegiate golfer, recording four birdies in the first round en route to a 70, then sizzling with four birdies and an eagle (on the par-5 No. 12) against only one bogey while shooting a 5-under-par 67 in the second round. At 137 (7-under), he was tied with Texas Tech freshman J.P. Roller for the individual lead. Roller, playing as an individual, had two eagles on the day.

Lurking just a shot back of Pulcini and Roller was OC senior Trevor Norby of Carlsbad, Calif. Norby, seeking what would be his sixth individual title, posting a pair of 69s on the 6,860-yard course that included a combined nine birdies and an eagle (in the second round, on the par-5 No. 8). As a team, OC was 14-under on par-5s on the day.

Tied for 13th in the 98-man field at 143 (1-under) was OC junior Andres Brictson of Merida, Mexico, who followed a first-round 70 with a 73 and had seven birdies during the two rounds combined.

OC freshman Ransen Turner of Edmond, Okla., was tied for 41st at 149 after shooting a 75 and a 74, while freshman Said Powers of Edmond shot rounds of 82 and 76 and was tied for 87th at 158. Playing as an individual, sophomore Hunter Perkins of nearby Fort Worth, Texas, was tied for 97th at 171 after rounds of 87 and 84.

The tournament’s final round will begin at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.