BYU's No. 5-ranked men's golf team had a difficult first round in the Mountain West Conference Championships at PGA West in Palm Desert, California, where the Cougars trail first-place UNLV by 16 strokes.
"We didn't play to the level we are used to playing this year," BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank said. "Mentally we didn't start out well and we got frustrated which led to a lot of bogies on the day."
Junior Billy Harv ey shot even par to lead the Cougars in round one of a three-round tournament. Andy Miller had a solid day, but bogied the 16th and 17th holes to fall to one-over-par for the day. The Cougars who shot a first-round 296 are tied with New Mexico for third place and nine strokes behind second place Colorado State.
"We lost our mental game today and hopefully we'll regain our composure and play well tomorrow," Brockbank said. "We're not completely out of it, but we'll have an uphill climb."
The Mountain West Conference Championships will resume Tuesday. Second round action will begin at 8 a.m. at PGA West in Palm Desert, California.
BYU INDIVIDUALS
Billy Harvey36-36--72
Andy Miller36-37--73
Scott Miller37-38--75
Manuel Merizalde35-41--76
Todd Miller41-41--82
TEAM SCORES
1. UNLV280
2. Colorado State287
3. BYU296
4. New Mexico296
5. Wyoming302
6. San Diego State308
Utah308
8. Air Force309