Albuquerque, N.M. -- With perfect weather during the first 18 holes, the Cougars struggled through the windy second round to finish day one of the 48th annual William H. Tucker Invitational in 8th place.
The tournament on the University of New Mexico's Championship Golf Course, a par 72, continues to rank among the nation's most prestigious and in-season college golf events in the country.
"The course is a little tricked up because of the speed of the greens and the pins are tucked in close to the edge of the bunkers," Brockbank said.
Junior Todd Miller led the Cougars through the first day with 71-74--145 and ended the day tied for 12th place. Leading the tournament through the first day is Texas Tech's first-place William Haddrell who shot 70-67-137.
BYU finished the day in eighth-place and will continue play in the final 18 holes Saturday with tee times starting at 7:30 a.m.
"I'd like to see us manage the course a little better tomorrow, make a few more putts, and see what happens," Brockbank said.
In the morning freshman Jake Ellison, who recently returned from a mission, led BYU shooting a 70 (-2) through the first 18 holes.
Ellison, a Georgia Tech transfer, was followed by junior teammate Todd Miller (71), another player who recently returned home from a mission.
Other BYU scores for the first 18 holes were junior Canadians Greg Machtaler and Ron Harvey Jr. who were one stroke a part shooting 74 and 75 respectively, to help the team shoot a combined score of 290. Sophomore Oscar Alvarez followed Machtaler and Harvey with a 77.
After the perfect weather through the first 18, the weather shifted to a windy setting which made the afternoon play more challenging.
"I think we were trying so hard to make our putts that we didn't make any at all in the afternoon," Brockbank said. "Our confidence was a little low when we started getting sloppy, and we just weren't able to rebound."
BYU lost some ground after the afternoon play and struggled for someone to shoot under par.
Juniors Miller and Machtaler led the Cougars in the second round both shooting a 74. Alvarez followed with a score of 75 and teammates Harvey and Ellison both shot a 76.
"The team might be a little inconsistent early, but we'll get a lot better," Brockbank said. "We have a couple of kids who recently returned from missions (Ellison and Miller) that haven't had a lot of playing experience in the last few months."
The Cougars will look to improve upon their eighth-place standing with the final 18 holes Saturday.
Results can be found at www.GoLobos.com following play both Friday and Saturday.
BYU Individual/Team Scores
Todd Miller 71-74--145
Jake Ellison 70-76--146
Greg Machtaler 74-74--148
Ron Harvey Jr. 75-76--151
Oscar Alverez 77-75--152
Total 290-299--589
Team Standings
1. Arizona State University 282-286--568 (-8)
2. University of New Mexico 291-287--578 (+2)
3. Texas Tech University 289-290--579 (+3)
4. UNLV 297-289--586 (+10)
5. Texas A&M 290-298--588 (+12)
6. Stanford 288-300--588 (+12)
7. San Diego State 293-295--588 (+12)
8. BYU 290-299--589 (+13)
9. Toledo 296-293--589 (+13)
10.Pepperdine 295-297--592 (+16)
Individual Standings
1. William Haddrell Texas Tech 70-67--137
Matthew Kodama Hawaii 68-69--137
3. Alejandro Canizares Arizona State 67-72-139
4. Ian Medlock New Mexico 72-69-141
Madalitso Muthiya New Mexico 70-71-141
6. Brad Heaven Toledo 71-72--143
Ben Flam Arizona State 70-73--143
8. Will Doughtie Baylor 74-70--144
Jay Reynolds New Mexico 73-71-144
Chris Baryla UTEP 73-71-144
Nick Juszczak Arizona 70-74--144
12.Nolan Martin Colorado State 73-72--145
Todd Miller BYU 71-74--145
Blake Mastalir Stanford 70-75--145
Oscar Floren Texas Tech 72-73--145
Shaun Melville Texas Tech 72-73--145
Jesse Mueller Arizona State 75-70--145
Andrew Parr Texas A&M 73-72--145
Blaine Peffley Arizona 74-71--145