Tucson, Ariz. (April 26, 2007)--The BYU men's golf team took an early lead at the 2007 MWC Championship on Thursday with a strong 12-under-par 272.
Coming off a win at their home tournament, the Cougars continued their solid under-par play by posting four scores under par including senior Clay Ogden's five-under 66. Ogden sits alone in second place just one shot from the lead. Not far behind is fellow senior Nick Becker with a three-under-par 68 and tied for fourth. Becker had an impressive errorless round with 15 pars and three birdies.
"We were fortunate to play in the morning because the wind picked up in the afternoon. We took advantage of this and were solid all day," said head coach Bruce Brockbank,
We came out ready to play; started with a couple of birdies, hung in there, made a few more, a then finished strong."
Junior Daniel Summerhays contributed with seven birdies of his own to finish three-under-par and tied with Becker in fourth place. Freshman Robbie Fillmore finished with a one-under-par 70 and tied for tenth. After eight pars in a row in the back nine, senior Jake Ellison had a bad break on eighteen and took a double-bogey to finish with a three-over-par 74 and tied for 25th.
"The guys have been working hard and we are expected to play well," said Brockbank, "When they come out and do that, that's exciting for me."
The Cougars will have a chance to extend their lead tomorrow during the second round with tee-times starting at 10:10 am MST
TEAM RESULTS
1. BRigham Young 272 -12
2. UNLV 275 -9
3. San Diego State 282 -2
4. TCU 284 E
5. Colorado State 287 +3
6. New Mexico 289 +5
7. Air Force 298 +14
T8. Utah 299 +15
T8. Wyoming 299 +15
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
2. Clay Ogden 66 -5
T4. Nick Becker 68 -3
T4. Daniel Summerhays 68 -3
T10. Robbie Fillmore 70 -1
T25. Jake Ellison 74 +3