Palm Desert, Calif.--BYU's men's golf team picked up six strokes on leader UNLV, but remained in third place heading into Wednesday's final round of the Mountain West Conference Championships at the PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course in Palm Desert, California.
Scott Miller paced the Cougars after shooting a second-round 68. Andy Miller and last year's WAC champion Manuel Merizalde rebounded from tough first rounds to post a pair of 70's. Junior Billy Harvey continued his consistent play to remain at even par.
"The boys stepped up today," BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank said. "You've got to give a lot of credit to Scott (Miller). His 68 was a big score for us. Everybody really looked a lot more consistent and mentally tougher in today's round."
BYU still has ten strokes to make up on Wednesday in order to repeat as conference champions. The Cougars also must pick up six shots to pass red-hot Colorado State.
"No telling what can happen tomorrow," Brockbank said. "We need someone to step up and shoot a 65 and we'll see if we can't get it done."
1. UNLV280-286--566 (-10)
2. Colorado State287-283--570 (-6)
3. BYU296-280--576 (E)
4. New Mexico296-288--584 (+8)
5. San Diego St.308-286--594 (+18)
6. Wyoming302-298--600 (+24)
7. Utah308-297--605 (+29)
8. Air Force309-311--620 (+44)
BYU INDIVIDUAL SCORES
t7. Andy Miller73-70--143
t7. Scott Miller75-68--143
10. Billy Harvey72-72--144
14. Manuel Merizalde76-70--146
t30. Todd Miller82-73--155