University of Denver
Rounds 1 & 2
Pioneers Lead after Day One Thanks to Lowest Round of the Season
4/19/2019 8:41:00 PM | Men's Golf
PROVO, UTAH – The University of Denver men's golf team sits in first place after 36 holes thanks to its lowest round of the season in Friday's first round of the Ping Cougar Classic. The Pioneers shot a season best 275, 13-under par in round one and followed up with a five-under 283 in round two, finishing at 18-under for 36 holes.
Head coach Erik Billinger went with the lineup of Cal McCoy, Esteban Missura, Eric Hagen, John Sand and Carson Griggs.
Senior Roy Kang competed, but as an individual.
"Wow what a day. I'm so proud of these guys," said Billinger. "I told them we need to focus for one more round because there is a lot of golf left, but to be in the lead after 36 holes with this field and at this course is just awesome. We have five guys in the top 16 if we count Roy, who played as an individual. Huge day for John with a pair of 68's. He has worked so hard for this. Cal, Esteban and Carson also played great golf today. Tomorrow we are practicing staying in the moment and smart golf and we will see what happens!"
Denver was near the top of the leaderboard from the jump as all five players in the lineup were birdie-hunting in round one. Combined, the five players in the lineup and one individual competitor, made 28 birdies and one eagle in round one.
Sand, a sophomore, led DU in round one, recording three birdies and one eagle en route to a four-under par 68. He stayed hot and fired another four-under 68 as he is tied for third place with 18 holes to play.
Missura also fired a 68 in round one thanks to seven birdies. The redshirt freshman responded with a one-under 71 and is currently tied for eighth place.
McCoy joined in on the birdie-fest, recording five in round one as the freshman carded a three-under 69. He made three more birdies in round two but three bogeys led to an even-par 72. McCoy is tied for 13th place with the final round remaining.
Griggs also had a solid first round, carding four birdies en route to a two-under 70. He had for additional birdies but four bogeys cost him a chance at back-to-back under par rounds. He is two-under for the tournament and tied for 16th place.
Hagen carded two birdies in round one but three bogeys and a double led him to a first round 75. He carded four-over 76 in round two and is tied for 67th place.
Kang had a team-high seven birdies in round one, en route to a five-under 67. The senior carded four more birdies in round two but five bogeys led to a 73. He is currently tied for 10th place with one round remaining.
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