BYU golf: Cougars improve at own Classic

PROVO — When your golf team plays 36 holes in one day, a coach is likely to see some things he likes and some things he doesn't.

The 1-under par 287 the BYU Cougars fired Friday morning in the Ping Cougar Classic at Riverside Country Club, a score that had the Cougars tied for sixth after round one, didn't make coach Bruce Brockbank all too pleased.

"I thought we really showed our inexperience today," Brockbank said.

But when the Cougars came back with a 9-under 279 Friday afternoon, the lowest second-round score, the BYU coach was feeling a lot better about his team.

"I'm happy with how we came back. At least we've given ourselves a chance to win it," he said.

Heading into today's final 18 holes the New Mexico State Aggies, with a 36-hole score of 17-under 559, lead by two shots over the New Mexico Lobos. Two more shots back at 563 are the St. Mary's Gaels, who are three shots ahead of BYU.

All five Cougars were in red numbers for the afternoon round, led by Robbie Fillmore — who followed up a 72 in the morning with an afternoon 67. Esteban Callisto had rounds of 70-71 for the Cougars and junior Nick Killpack shot 72-70. BYU's Brady Johnson posted rounds of 73-71.

Realistically, it's a four-team race today for the title. And it's not likely that either the Aggies, Lobos or Gaels are going to play poorly today, so the Cougars will probably need to play outstanding golf if they want to win their third straight Cougar Classic title.

"The bottom line is that we just need to make some putts. There were a lot of key 5-foot putts out there today that we didn't make, that we need to make," Brockbank said.

Of the other local teams, Utah is in ninth at 579, Weber State in 10th at 582, while Utah State shot 590 and Utah Valley State posted a 591.

Nick Nelson of UVSC is at 1-under 143, while Utah's Nick Carter and Chance Cota are both at even-par 144. Fellow Ute Chris Gresh shot 145 on Friday. Weber State's low man was Rand Sargent at 145. Utah State had two golfers at 146 — Toph Peterson and Devin Daniels.

Leading the medalist battle is Washington State's Nick Ellis, who fired rounds of 69-67 for an 8-under 136. Six players are two shots back, including St. Mary's senior Michael McRae – a Park City resident and former Utah State Amateur champion. In his first time ever playing Riverside, McRae shot a 68 Friday morning and came back with a 70 in round two.

"It would be very special to win this," McRae said. "This is my last college tournament and it's been one of my goals all year long." Brother Robert McRae, also playing for the Gaels, fired rounds of 73-73.

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E-MAIL: jimr@desnews.com

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