Oklahoma State on top after first round of Cabo Collegiate

February 27, 2022 | by Jim Young of AmateurGolf.com

Courtesy of Oklahoma State Athletics

Paced by Brian Stark's 6-under 65, Cowboys enjoy a one-stroke lead after the first day of play in Los Cabos

Oklahoma State has enjoyed its trips to the Cabo Intercollegiate over the years, bringing titles back to Stillwater three times since 2017.

The third-ranked Cowboys began their quest for a fourth championship on Sunday afternoon by opening with a 13-under score of 271 on the par-71 Cove Club in Los Cabos, Mexico to take a one-shot lead over Florida State heading into Monday's second-round play. Ole Miss is just three back at 10-under 274.

“We have been here a few times and we love playing here,” said Oklahoma State head coach Allan Bratton. “The golf course was spectacular, and the greens were perfect, and our guys took care of their ball.”

Cowboy Brian Stark, a quarterfinalist in last year's U.S. Amateur, logged seven birdies against one bogey to occupy the top of the individual leaderboard at 6-under 65 while Eugenio Lopez-Charcarra (67), Bo Jin (68) and Jonas Baumgartner (71) contributed to the team total that was just two strokes shy of the tournament record of 269.

“I did pretty much everything really well and stayed disciplined,” Stark said. “I felt like I hit the middle of the green, which made it easy for birdies on par 5s. I played here two years ago so I have a little bit of experience. I used that to my advantage today.

“I like desert golf like this. Playing at home at Karsten Creek is like here because if you miss the fairway your ball is gone for the most part. Driving is the best part of my game, and I am taking advantage of that out here.”

Vanderbilt's Gordon Sargent and Chase Sienkiewicz of Arizona are just one back of Stark after turning in rounds of 66. Sargent's wild ride around the Cove Club consisted of eight birdies, an eagle, three bogeys and a double bogey.

Staying at the top of the leaderboard will be a challenge for Oklahoma State but Bratton believes his squad will face the task with confidence.

“Our guys are good at that,” Bratton said of playing with the pressure of the lead. “They get along well, and they work really hard. They know they are prepared.

“We are sitting where we’d like to be and there’s work to do for the next couple of days."

Pete Kowalski contributed to this report.

Results: Cabo Collegiate

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Cole Sherwood	Austin, TX	800	70-65-61=196
2	Michael Thorbjornsen	Wellesley, MA	500	69-66-65=200
T3	Johnny Keefer	San Antonio, TX	400	71-67-63=201
T3	Alexander Frances	, Denmark	400	69-66-66=201
T5	Ludvig Aberg	, Sweden	400	74-65-63=202