Bauchou, Hovland lead OK State on big first day at Amer Ari

Two Oklahoma State players went bogey-free on Thursday in the opening round of the Amer Ari Invitational, and five of six players posted a round in the 60s. That said, the Cowboys easily got off to the first-round lead in their spring-season opener in Waikoloa, Hawaii.

The star of the day at the Waikoloa Kings Course was Zach Bauchou, who turned in 29 and ended with a 63. Bauchou, who has won back-to-back Canadian Amateurs, birdied the second hole, eagled the fourth, then logged four more more birdies over the next five. The 9-under 63 matches the fifth-best score in program history.

Bauchou has the individual lead by three shots.

Viktor Hovland, the reigning U.S. Amateur champion, also went bogey-free for his 66, the next-best score on the team and the third-best on the day. Only Oregon’s Ryan Gronlund stands between the two teammates.

Oklahoma State’s Matthew Wolff (fresh off his Waste Management Phoenix Open start), Austin Eckroat and Ferdinand Muller all had rounds of 69.

Oklahoma State, which ended the fall season ranked No. 1 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings, is 21 under after the first day, which is two shots better than Texas Tech in second place.

Oregon is third at 17 under while Georgia Tech and USC are tied for fourth at 11 under.