Kristoffer Ventura
(Oklahoma State Athletics Photo)
LOS CABOS, Mexico (February 27, 2017) -- With one round remaining at the Querencia Cabo Collegiate No. 6 Oklahoma State has moved into the lead. The Pokes, 13-under, began the second round at Querencia Golf Club tied with No. 16 Texas but after a 5-under day pushed Oklahoma State to 16-under they now lead the Longhorns by three-strokes.
No. 14 Baylor is a in distant third place at 4-under, Washington is fourth at even-par while No. 11 Wake Forest sits in fifth place at 4-over. Top-ranked Vanderbilt had a much better second round and they moved into sixth place at 6-over.
On Monday Oklahoma State was led by its four players inside the top-12 of the standings. Junior Kristoffer Ventura sits in a tie for second place at 6-under followings rounds of 69-67. Ventura, two behind individual leader Steven Chervony of Texas, birdied five-times and bogeyed just once in the second round.
Sophomore Hayden Wood shot a 2-under 70 and he is tied for seventh at 4-under while tied for 12th at 3-under after 1-under 71's are senior Zachary Olsen and sophomore Zach Bauchou.
So far the medalist race has a bit of an unlikely pace setter in sophomore Steven Chervon who in two years has only finished inside the top-20 once in nine previous events.
In the second round Chervony followed up his first day 5-under 66 with a 3-under 68 and at 8-under he leads the way by a pair of shots. Chervony bogeyed just once on the 7th hole but rebounded nicely with four birdies the rest of the way.
Heading into the final round Chervony is leading Ventura and Texas teammate Doug Ghim by two shots and Corey Pereira of Washington, Gavin Hall of Texas and Cristian DiMarco of USF by three-strokes.
ROUND ONE RECAP
With eight ranked teams in the Querencia Cabo Collegiate field the day one lead belongs to No. 6 Oklahoma State and No. 16 Texas. Both teams turned in 11-under first round tallies at Querencia Golf Club and they will begin the second round four shots in front of 11th ranked Wake Forest.
On a gorgeous day for golf Oklahoma State was led by a trio of players with 3-under 69's. All three --senior Zachary Olsen, sophomore Hayden Wood and sophomore Zach Bauchou-- will begin the second round tied for seventh place.
Leading the Longhorns thus far is Steven Chervony. In second place at 5-under, Chervony produced an eight birdie, three bogey round. After starting on the 10th hole the sophomore turned in his best stretch of golf from Nos. 15-18 when he rolled in four consecutive birdies.
One shot behind Chervony is junior teammate Doug Ghim at 4-under in a tie for third while senior Gavin Hall is part of the 3-under tied for seventh logjam.
The lead in the medalist race belongs to Paul McBride at 6-under. McBride turned in a Sunday 65 thanks to a nearly flawless round that included seven birdies and one bogey. Starting on the 17th hole, the junior was even through five holes before playing the reminder of the round in 6-under.
Heading into Monday the individual leaderboard is a tight one with 28 players currently 1-under or better. Along with Ghim three other players are tied for third including --Braden Thornberry (Ole Miss), Cristian DiMarco (USF) and Garrett May (Baylor).
The team top-5 is rounded out by No. 10 Georgia and No. 14 Baylor in fourth at 3-under.
Top-ranked Vanderbilt struggled to a 10-over first round and they are in 13th.
ABOUT THE
54-hole collegiate event is hosted by the
University of Arkansas.
Draws a very impressive field and is typically a
top-10 collegiate event each year.
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