AUSTIN -- The 8th-ranked BYU men's golf team struggled to find its groove in the first two rounds of the Morris Williams Intercollegiate, finishing day one in eighth place and 40 strokes back of the leader Florida.
The Cougars, who return to this year's tournament as defending champions, faced tough windy conditions as well as a fast and firm course, much different than when they had played their practice round just days before.
"We finished up bloody and ugly, but we're still alive," said head coach Bruce Brockbank. "We just don't know how to turn it down when conditions are tough. They need to learn that a par is OK."
Junior golfer Oscar Alvarez, who finished the second round in a 14th-place tie, led the Cougars with a 4-over-par 148. Senior Ron Harvey, Jr. and sophomore Nick Becker, who stand in 30th place, trail Alvarez by four strokes (152).
Senior Todd Miller, who is playing as an individual at this year's tournament, finished the opening day in 55th place at 13 over par. Senior Greg Machtaler, who is currently ranked No. 17 in the nation in Golfweek, struggled in both rounds with a pair of 79s, finishing at 14 over par and in a tie for 59th place.
Reigning 2004 tournament champion Jake Ellison also had difficulty during the opening two rounds, finishing at 18 over par and in a tie for 78th place.
"Our top guys have played great all year long, but they struggled today," Brockbank said. "We just haven't handled the adversity real well. I'd like to see us go out and shoot a consistent round tomorrow."
The Cougars finish up the final round of play at the Morris Williams Intercollegiate tomorrow.
Austin Country Club - Par 72 - 6906 yards
TEAM RESULTS
1. Florida 288-282--570 (-6)
2. Oklahoma St. 296-287--583 (+7)
3. Texas 296-298--594 (+18)
4. Tulsa 297- --297 (+19)
5. SMU 301- --301 (+23)
6. Oklahoma 299-302--601 (+25)
7. Texas A&M 298-309--607 (+31)
T8. BYU 306-304--610 (+34)
T8. Arkansas 296- --296 (+34)
10. Baylor 303-308--611 (+35)
11. Texas Tech 307-305--612 (+36)
12. Fresno St. 305-308--613 (+37)
13. Virginia 310-310--620 (+44)
14. Houston 310-313--623 (+47)
15. Rice 311-318--629 (+53)
- Through 36 holes, 18 holes remaining
- Tulsa, Arkansas, SMU did not complete second round due to darkness
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
T14. Oscar Alvarez 74-74--148 (+4)
T30. Nick Becker 75-77--152 (+8)
T30. Ron Harvey, Jr. 78-74--152 (+8)
T59. Greg Machtaler 79-79--158 (+14)
T78. Jake Ellison 79-83--162 (+18)
T55. Todd Miller* 79-78--157 (+13)
* Competing as an individual