BYU has slim lead on 'Bama, Arkansas at Jerry Pate

VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. (Oct. 8, 2018) – It’s a tight leaderboard after two rounds at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate, but BYU has a slim lead. The Cougars went 7 under through 36 holes at Old Overton Club on Monday, and lead tournament host Alabama by one shot. Arkansas is a shot behind that.

BYU is coming off a victory at the William H. Tucker two weeks ago. The Cougars aren’t ranked in the GCAA Coaches Poll, but they are leading four teams in the top 20: No. 3 Alabama, No. 14 Auburn, No. 18 UNLV and No. 19 Arkansas. Auburn is in fourth place at 2 over, while UNLV is in ninth at 22 over.

BYU players Carson Lundell and Peter Kuest both finished in the top five to put BYU on top after two rounds.

"It was such a great team effort today, when one guy struggled someone else stepped up," BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank said. "If we can do that tomorrow we will have a very good chance to win."

Lundell started with a 5-under 65 in the first round and ended the day with a 2-under 68 on the par-70 course, landing in second place out of 60 golfers. Kuest, who won the individual title at the Tucker, stayed consistent with rounds of 68-69 to put himself in a tie for fifth after the first day.

"It's always nice to be in contention," Brockbank said. "We need all five guys to play their best tomorrow to get the top spot. I'm excited to see once again what the guys can do."

Arkansas’ Julian Perico leads the individual race at 11 under after rounds of 64-65 on Monday.

Information from BYU Athletics used in this report