Peter Kuest of BYU is tied for the individual lead
(BYU Athletics Photo)

BYU, 17-under, will carry a five shot lead into the final round at Riverside Country Club over No. 24 Pepperdine.

Kuest currently sits at 7-under after a second round 5-under 67. During Friday play, Kuest didn't waste anytime getting going with a 2nd hole birdie, the first of six throughout the round versus a lone bogey. Kuest saved some of his best golf for the end of his round as he carded three straight birdies on Nos. 14-16.

In addition, to Kuest three other members of the BYU lineup are in the top-12; Patrick Fishburn (3rd; -5), Rhett Rasmussen (T9; -2) and Spencer Dunaway (T11; -1).

Joining Kuest in a tie for the individual lead is first round leader Hayden Shieh of Santa Clare. Shieh carded a 2-under 70 on Friday with four birdies and two bogeys.

The top-five of the individual lead is rounded out by Fishburn in third while Riley Elmes (Loyola Marymount), Tim Widing (San Francisco), Ryan Gaske (Gonzaga), Clay Feagler (Pepperdine) and Hunter Rappleye (St. Mary's) are tied for fourth with a 4-under tally.

Behind BYU and Pepperdine in the team standings are St. Mary's (-5) in third, Santa Clara (+2) in fourth while Pacific; San Diego; Loyola Marymount share fifth at 3-over.

ROUND ONE RECAP

BYU turned in a 9-under first round and they are the early pace setters at the West Coast Conference Men's Championship. The Cougars will carry a four shot lead into the second round at Riverside Golf Course over defending champion St. Mary's.

Three players in the BYU lineup turned in top-10 performances on Thursday to lead the Cougars to the front of the leaderboard.

So far pacing BYU is Patrick Fishburn, who at 4-under is part of a three-way tie for second. The winner of the Pacific Invitational earlier this season, Fishburn started his first round on the 10th hole and after three consecutive pars he birdied the 13th hole, for the first of his four birdies on the day against two bogeys. His highlight however came on the par-5 7th when he recorded an eagle.

Also in the top-10 for BYU are Spencer Dunaway (T5; -3) and Peter Kuest (T9; -2).

In the medalist race Hayden Shieh of Santa Clara is 5-under and the leader by one. Shieh fired a Thursday 67 with six birdies and a bogey. The first round birdies came on the 13th, 15th, 18th, 2nd, 7th and 9th holes.

Joining Fishburn in second place are Riley Elmes (Loyola Marymount) and Angus Montgomery (Gonzaga) while in tie of fifth at 3-under it is Ryan Gaske (Gonzaga), Connor Blick (St. Mary's), Dunaway and William Pollock (Loyola Marymount).

Overall there are 15 players 1-under-par or better after 18-holes of play.

St. Mary's at 5-under is in second place, Pepperdine is third at 3-under while Loyola Marymount and Santa Clare are 2-under and sharing fourth.