WESTLAKE VILLAGE -- The BYU men's golf team played a marathon round of 36-holes on Monday, and stand in 11th place after shooting a combined 601 (+33), in the first and second rounds of the Cleveland Golf Classic. The Cleveland Golf Classic is in its 25th year, and is played at the North Ranch Country Club, a par-71, 6,900 yard course.
The Cougars got off to a slow start by carding a first round total of 310 (+26), but rebounded with second round score of 291 (+7).
"This is always a very challenging course for the Cougars, it's very demanding off the tee as well as into the greens and the winds were swirling ," said head coach Bruce Brockbank. "It was just a very difficult golf course today -- it ate up a young team."
Senior Kyle Wight and freshman Greg Matchaler led the BYU charge in the second round with carding identical rounds of 69 (-2). Wight has a two round total of 145 (76-69, +3)) to stand in a tie for 10th, and Matchaler is tied for 22nd after carding a 149 (80-69, +7). Wight stands six shots behind Washington golfer Brock Mackenzie (71-68--139).
Host USC is the team leader, 20 shots in front of BYU. The Trojans shot 581 (296-285) to stand at 13-over-par.
Overall the Cougars are inconsistent in playing two seniors and three freshmen, but Brockbank realizes the need to be patient.
"We shot 26-over in the first round, then we shot seven-over in the second round which is pretty darn good on this golf course for our team at this point in time," Brockbank said.
The third and final round is scheduled for Tuesday morning. The Cougars will tee-off at the following times: Nick Becker 8:34, Ron Harvey 8:42, Manuel Merizalde 8:50, Greg Matchaler 8:58 and Kyle Wight 9:06.
t10 Kyle Wight BYU 76-69 145 +3
t22 Greg Machtaler BYU 80-69 149 +7
t47 Manuel Merizalde BYU 75-78 153 +11
t53 Ron Harvey, Jr. BYU 79-75 154 +12
81 Nick Becker