MOORPARK, Calif. – The BYU men's golf team but together its best rounds in its last fall tournament to start day one of the Rustic Collegiate Classic on Thursday.
"Today was more like what I think this team can do," BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank said. "They showed some toughness we had not seen yet this year. I'd like to see us have our best round tomorrow."
The Cougars shot a first-round score of 290 (+6), just a stroke back of the leader Pepperdine (289, +5), not just one of the West Coast Conference's best teams but a team that finished the shortened 2020 spring season ranked No. 1 in the Bushnell Golfweek Coaches Poll. Pepperdine put some distance between themselves and everyone else with a 269 in the second round, however, but BYU improved as well, posting a 282 (-2) in the second round.
San Diego is in second overall with 292 and 279 (+3), leading by one stroke over the Cougars (+4) in third. Loyola Marymount (+15) is fourth and Saint Mary's (+22) is in fifth.
Kelton Hirsch is tied for seventh to lead the way for BYU with a pair of 71's (E). Carson Lundell is right behind with a 71 (E) and 72 (+1) to tie for ninth overall.
Cole Ponich moved up to 14th with a second-round 68 (-3) after posting a 78 (+7) in round one. After some tough winds in the early part of the first round, Ponich was actually five-under par his final 27 holes.
Max Brenchley is in 19th with a 76 (+4) and 71 (E) and David Timmins is tied for 22nd shooting a 72 (+1) and 78 (+7).
Competing as individuals, Austin Banz and Elijiah Turner are tied for 25th. Banz posted a 69 (-2) in the second round after a first-round 82 (+11) while Turner had a 77 (+6) and 74 (+3).
BYU will compete in its final 18 holes tomorrow at the Rustic Canyon Golf Course. Live scoring is available at Golfstat.com
Individual Standings
| Player | Round 1 | Round 2 | To Par | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelton Hirsch | 71 | 71 | E | T7 |
| Carson Lundell | 71 | 72 | +1 | T9 |
| Cole Ponich | 78 | 68 | +4 | T14 |
| Max Brenchley | 76 | 71 | +5 | 19 |
| David Timmins | 72 | 78 | +8 | T22 |
| Austin Banz* | 82 | 69 | +9 | T25 |
| Elijah Turner* | 77 | 74 | +9 | T25 |
*Competing as individual
Team Standings
| Team | Round 1 | Round 2 | To Par | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine | 289 | 269 | -10 | 1 |
| San Diego | 292 | 279 | +3 | 2 |
| BYU | 290 | 282 | +4 | 3 |
| LMU | 302 | 281 | +15 | 4 |
| St. Mary's | 305 | 285 | +22 | 5 |