Oklahoma State back on top at NIT; OU's Reband medals

March 21, 2021 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

- Oklahoma State photo

The Cowboys hold off their in-state rivals by four shots at Tucson National in Arizona, while Garett Reband wins by two

It was understandable that Oklahoma State would have a drop-off after a disappointing loss in the 2019 NCAAs, followed by the loss of players like Viktor Hovland and Matthew Wolff, both of whom have ascended into the World top 20 in less than two full years as professionals.

After a down year in 2019-2020 that was ultimately cut short by COVID-19, the Cowboys have found their groove again this season, winning their second tournament in rewarding fashion, outlasting their in-state rivals Oklahoma by four shots at the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) at Tucson National in Arizona.

On Saturday, the Cowboys opened play with a 275 during the morning round at the par-72, 7,167-yard layout to stand a shot out of the lead held by Oklahoma. The Pokes used a 272 during their second round to move to the top spot on the leaderboard heading into today's final round.

Head coach Alan Bratton's squad fired an 18-under 270 during its final round to record its 33rd win under his direction. The Cowboys finished at 47-under par 817 and four shots clear of the Sooners. Texas was a distant third at 833.

Eugenio Chacarra logged his second runner-up and his third top-three showing as a Cowboy after firing a closing 66 to finish at 13-under 203 and two shots out of the top spot on the leaderboard. The sophomore put together a bogey-free final round that featured six birdies, including a 4-under 32 on his inward nine.

Aman Gupta joined his teammate in the top 10 after firing his low round of the event on Sunday. The sophomore posted a 67 to tie for seventh place at 205.

Freshman Bo Jin posted his second round of 70 during the event to finish tied for 12th place at 207. Classmate Jonas Baumgartner fired a closing 67 to move up 15 spots into a tie for 17th place at 210. Junior Austin Eckroat also finished at 210 after signing for a closing 75.

Oklahoma's Garett Reband won the individual competition, shooting rounds of 67-68-66 (-15) to win by two shots over Chacarra and Pierceson Coody of Texas, who was coming off of a win at the George Hannon Collegiate in Austin earlier in the week.

Thanks to Oklahoma State University for their contribution to this report.

Results: National Invitational

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Garett Reband	York, SC	700	67-68-66=201
T2	Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra	, Spain	500	69-68-66=203
T2	Pierceson Coody	Plano, TX	500	68-69-66=203
T4	Jonathan Brightwell	Charlotte, NC	400	69-69-66=204
T4	Sam Choi	Anaheim, CA	400	68-67-69=204