Individually, the Colorado men’s golf team mostly failed to repeat the scores it posted during the opening round of the NCAA Central Regional.
Yet one huge exception during Tuesday’s second round was Tucker Clark, whose big day helped keep the Buffaloes in contention for a spot in the national championship.
After finishing fifth in the team standings through round one, CU jumped into a tie for third following second round play at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club in Norman, Okla. The Buffs were the only team in the top five from round one that improved their team score in round two, putting CU in position to earn a team berth to the NCAA Championship Finals in two weeks in Scottsdale, Ariz.
The top five teams in each regional advance, in addition to the highest finishing individual not on one of those teams. CU goes into the final round tied with Texas Tech, while sitting one stroke ahead of North Florida and three ahead of Duke.
The Buffs finished the second round with 18 birdies, five more than Colorado posted in the first round.
Among CU’s five players, Clark was one of only two Buffs to improve on his opening round score, yet he did so in a big way. After recording a 5-over 77 on Monday, Clark was 10 strokes better on Tuesday, firing a 5-under 67 to tie the low individual mark of the second round. Clark carded six birdies against just one bogey.
CU also received an improved mark from Jack Holland, who turned his 1-over 73 on Monday into a 1-under 71 on Tuesday. The Buffs’ first round leader, Hunter Swanson, finished the second round at even-par 72 to remain at 3-under overall. Justin Biwer remained under par for a second consecutive round, backing his 2-under 70 on Monday with a 1-under 71 on Tuesday.
“Another good, solid day,” CU head coach Roy Edwards said in a release. “The guys were just ready from the start of the round, hitting good shots and making good decisions.
“Really spectacular round by Tucker. He had a great comeback from yesterday. Hunter, Justin and Jack were all really good as well. Dylan (McDermott) had an uncharacteristic day but I’m excited for what he’s going to bring (Wednesday). This is basically the exact same experience we had in the Pac-12 Championship (when the Buffs tied for third and led briefly in the final round), so the team is ready.”
NCAA Central Regional
Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club (par 72)
Round 2 (May 16)
Team standings — Alabama 281-280 — 561, Oklahoma 279-284 — 563, Texas Tech 278-287 — 565, Colorado 284-281 — 565, North Florida 285-281 — 566, Duke 283-285 — 568, LSU 292-280 — 572, Ole Miss 293-280 — 573, Wake Forest 294-281— 575, Kansas 288-289 — 577, UNC-Wilmington 296-282 — 578, Louisiana 297-290 — 587, Princeton 293-296 — 589, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 313-307 — 620.
Colorado individual results
T-12. Hunter Swanson 69-72 — 141 (-3)
T-12. Justin Biwer 70-71 — 141 (-3)
T-33. Jack Holland 73-71 — 144 (E)
T-33. Tucker Clark 77-67 — 144 (E)
T-46. Dylan McDermott 72-74 — 146 (+2)
