OSU men open spring season with 6-under round in Hawaii

KONA, Hawaii — Oklahoma State’s men’s golf team opened its spring slate on Thursday with a 282 during its first round at the Amer Ari Invitational to stand in a tie for fourth place at Waikoloa Kings’ Course.

The Cowboys’ 6-under score tied them with Oregon at the par-72, 7,074-yard layout. Stanford and Southern California shared the lead at 10-under 278, while UCLA wrapped up the day alone in third place at 279.

Oregon State’s Conner Kumpula posted the low round of the day individually, firing a 66 to lead by one stroke.

A pair of Cowboys finished the day among the top 10 with Jordan Niebrugge carding an opening 68 to stand in a tie for third. The senior started his day at the sixth hole and reeled off seven consecutive pars before posting an eagle at the par-4 13th. After a bogey at the 14th, Niebrugge carded birdies at Nos. 15 and 18 for a back nine of 3-under 33. His front nine included birdies at the first and fourth as well as a bogey at the second for a 1-under side of 35.

Junior Zachary Olsen came in a stroke back at 3-under 69 and tied for eighth place.

Redshirt freshman Nick Heinen opened with a 71 to stand in a tie for 29th place, while sophomore Brendon Jelley’s 74 tied him for 71st place.

Sophomore Sam Stevens opened with a 78 to finish the day tied for 103rd.

Competing individually, junior Wyndham Clark posted a 73 to finish among the group tied for 57th place, while redshirt freshman Hayden Wood came in tied for 110th with a 79.

The Cowboys will get their second round underway tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. (HST) and will be grouped with Auburn, Colorado and Hawaii.