AUBURN -- A frost delay and three weather stoppages prevented the first round of the NCAA West Regional men's golf championship to finish before darkness at Washington National Golf Club. Only 12 of 27 teams managed to complete their first round of play. Denver and Oregon lead that group at 7-over 295.
BYU, who earned the fourth seed from district VII, was slated to tee off in the last tee times. Because of the rain delay, BYU's bid for its 26th NCAA Championship invitation, was put off until Friday. The Cougars last advanced into the championship round in 2000 when it placed second in the NCAA West Regional in Fresno, Calif. The top 10 teams and the top two individuals not attached to those teams will advance to the NCAA Championships at Oklahoma State.
Heavy rains, hail and high winds hit the course three times during the afternoon to disrupt play. Only the teams seeded 16th through 27th, that teed off in the morning, were able to complete their 18 holes after an accumulation of four hours and 13 minutes of delays.
The first round will concluded on Friday and will immediately be followed by the start of the second round. The final 18 holes of the 54-hole stroke play event will take place Saturday.