Oklahoma Christian second, UCO 13th in Las Vegas Desert Classic
Photo: Garrett White shot a 2-under 70 in the second round of the Las Vegas Desert Classic.
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (March 5) – In a field loaded with top-shelf golf teams, Oklahoma Christian moved the right direction on Monday at the Las Vegas Desert Classic.
Led by under-par rounds from juniors Cameron Brown and Garrett White, the Eagles jumped three spots to second in the 18-team field. OC posted a team score of 1-under-par 287 and have a two-day total of 588, trailing only the No. 1-ranked team in NCAA Division II, West Florida, which distanced itself from the field and has a 15-shot lead heading into Tuesday’s final round.
OC is four shots ahead of third-place Grand Valley State (Mich.) and six ahead of No. 24-ranked Arkansas Tech and Lindenwood (Mo.). The field also includes No. 19 Central Oklahoma and five other teams (including OC) that received votes in the most recent Division II coaches’ poll.
Brown recorded six birdies and an eagle (on the par-5 No. 18) while shooting a 4-under-par 68 over the 6,962-yard layout at Royal Links Golf Club’s Links Replica Course. He closed his round with two birdies over his final three holes, at the par-4 No. 2 and the par-5 No. 4.
At 1-under 143 through two rounds, Brown was tied for fifth in the 104-man field, 11 shots behind the leader, Chandler Blanchett of West Florida.
White also had six birdies en route to a 2-under 70, while OC junior Juan Pallach closed his even-par round with a birdie at the par-3 No. 3. Both were tied for ninth at 2-over 146.
Freshman Andres Brictson posted a 77 on Monday and was tied for 41st at 153. Two other Eagles were tied for 83rd at 160 – freshman Jackson Phillips (who shot an 83) and senior Chris Karlovich (who shot a 79). Karlovich is playing the tournament as an individual.
Eli Armstrong and Alexander Hughes both shot 73 in the second round as Central Oklahoma moved up three spots on the second day of the Las Vegas Desert Classic here Monday.
The No. 18-ranked Bronchos knocked 22 shots off their opening-day score with 297 and have a 616 total after two trips around the 6,962-yard, par-72 Royal Links Golf Club. UCO is 13th in the 18-team field heading into Tuesday’s final round.
All five UCO players improved their scores from the first day, with Armstrong knocking five strokes off his first-day 78 and Hughes 10 off his opening 83. Blake Berry shot 75, while Wesley Jackson had a 76 and Nick Pierce a 79.
Armstrong made five birdies on the day and leads the Bronchos with a 151 total. Hughes bogeyed three of his first four holes before coming on strong and making five birdies in his last 14 holes to rally for the 73.
Berry had five bogeys and two birdies in his round and Jackson as two-under on his last nine holes after playing the first nine six-over.