Doug Ghim and Texas Lead Going into the Final Round
(TexasSports.com photo)
AUSTIN, TX (May 16, 2017)--Doug Ghim's two-under-par 69 helped the University of Texas maintain its lead going into the final round of the NCAA South Central Regional at the University of Texas Golf Club.
The Longhorns entered the day with a ten shot lead over Big 12 rival Oklahoma State,
but despite playing on its home course, they allowed that lead to shrink throughout the round,
with the Cowboys at one point pulling into a tie. But Texas pulled ahead again at the end,
and will carry a four shot lead into the final round.
Tomorrow's round will serve as a rematch of the Big 12 Championship, where Texas made a big rally to pass Oklahoma State on the final day and win its fifth straight Big 12 Championship at Prairie Dunes Golf Club. Oklahoma State will no doubt want to return the favor, and how sweet it would be to do it on the Longhorns' home course of UT Golf Club.
Oklahoma State had balanced scoring in its round of 282, the best of the day. Kristoffer Ventura, Zachary Olsen and Zach Bauchou all posted one-under 70s, Viktor Hovland shot 72 and Hayden Wood had a 75. Ole Miss shot 294 to fall to third, eleven shots back at 576. Iowa State is in fourth at 582 and Arizona State sits fifth at 583.
Ghim has taken a one-shot lead in the individual tournament at five-under 137. Nick Voke of Iowa State had the low round of the day, a four-under 67, to sit in solo second, with Longhorns Scottie Scheffler (66-73) and Gavin Hall (69-70) two back.
The low five teams and the low individual not on a qualifying team will qualify for the NCAA Championship, to be held at Rich Harvest Farms in Elk Grove, IL, May 26-31.
Going into the final round, the race for the top five is tight. Arizona State will take a three shot lead over the College of Charleston for the fifth and final spot into the championship, with North Carolina State, Wake Forest, and Georgia Southern all just another shot back. As it stands now, Will Zalatoris of Wake Forest and Steven Fisk of Georgia Southern are the low individuals not otherwise on a qualifying team, at one-under 141.
ABOUT THE NCAA Division I Central Regional
54 hole men's NCAA Regional from which the
low
teams advance to the NCAA Championship.
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