Oklahoma sets the pace at Nike Invite despite 18th hole hiccup

But for the 18th hole at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Ore., Oklahoma hardly missed a step in the opening round of the Nike Collegiate. The Sooners started their day on the back nine of the highly acclaimed Pacific Northwest course and had reached 8 under as they prepared to make the turn.

It’s just that all four Oklahoma counters made bogey on the 545-yard par 5. They recovered well, going a collective 10 under on the front nine to build a six-shot cushion entering the next round.

Oklahoma finished the day at 14 under while Oklahoma State turned in an 8-under 276 to put itself in second. That’s a considerably stronger start than the Cowboys had last week at the OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational. Oklahoma State was 14th after the opening round, clawed their way upward in Round 2 but still finished T-12.

Texas and Clemson are tied for third at 6 under with Wake Forest, the top-ranked team in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings is another shot back in fifth.

Oklahoma’s Logan McAllister leads the individual race with a 6-under 65 that included only one bogey – the one he made at No. 18, along with the rest of his team. Sooner teammates Garett Reband and Thomas Johnson are part of a six-way tie for second at 4 under that also includes Georgia teammates Davis Thompson and Trent Phillips.

Baylor senior Cooper Dossey, winner of the Fighting Illini title, is part of the 11-man tie for eighth at 3 under.