The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
NCAA South Central Regional Championship
Gribble paces Men's Golf through 36 holes at NCAA Fayetteville Regional
05.17.2013 | Men's Golf
May 17, 2013
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Senior Cody Gribble (70-74) is pacing the Texas Men's Golf team with an even-par 144 through 36 holes at the NCAA Fayetteville Regional Championship at Blessings Golf Club. Gribble is tied for eighth place, while the top-seeded Longhorns are in third place at 7-over 583 (285-298).
Texas enters Saturday's final round eight shots ahead of the team cut line to advance to the NCAA Championship. Oklahoma State (286-304=590, +14) and Kent State (288-303=591, +15) are in fourth and fifth places.
The low five teams and the low individual not on those teams from each of the six regional sites will earn bids to compete at the 2013 NCAA Men's Golf Championship from May 28-June 2 at Capital City Club, Crabapple Course in Atlanta, Ga., hosted by Georgia Tech. The Longhorns have successfully advanced from the NCAA regional to the NCAA Championships in each of the last six seasons.
Junior Toni Hakula (69-76=145) trails Gribble by one stroke and is tied for 11th place, while freshman Brandon Stone (72-74) is tied for 17th place at 2-over 146.
Sophomore Kramer Hickok recorded his fifth eagle of the season on the par-5, 524-yard 16th hole, but it came in a bogey-eagle-bogey-triple bogey stretch on the last four holes. On the front nine, Hickok strung together three consecutive birdies on Nos. 4-6, and he and Gribble co-led Texas with four second-round birdies each. Hickok is tied for 24th place at +4.
Senior Julio Vegas' second round was disqualified due to breach of Rule 15-1, commonly known as `The One Ball Rule.' Under Rule 15-1, players are required to use the exact same brand and type of ball throughout the round. Vegas remains eligible for Saturday's third round and is in 75th place at 6-over 78.
Host Arkansas (290-283=573) leads the 14-team field at 3-under, and Illinois (282-292=574) is one shot back.
The Longhorns, Razorbacks and Fighting Illini will begin Saturday's second round at 8:40 a.m. Central on the first tee.
NCAA Fayetteville Regional
Blessings Golf Club (par 72 - 7,251 yards)
Second-round Team Leaderboard
1. Arkansas - 290-283=573 (-3)
2. Illinois - 282-292=574 (-2)
3. TEXAS - 285-298=583 (+7)
4. Oklahoma State - 286-304=590 (+14)
5. Kent State - 288-303=591 (+15)
T6. Tulsa - 303-292=595 (+19)
T6. SMU - 297-298=595 (+19)
8. UNCW - 300-301=601 (+25)
9. Colorado - 292-310=602 (+26)
T10. Indiana - 307-306=613 (+37)
T10. Kentucky - 304-309=613 (+37)
12. Liberty - 303-313=616 (+40)
13. UMKC - 303-318=621 (+45)
14. Alabama State - 313-327=640 (+64)
Second-round Player Leaderboard
T1. Mario Clemens, SMU - 70-70=140 (-4)
T1. Austin Cook, Arkansas - 72-68=140 (-4)
T1. Mitchell McLeroy, Stephen F. Austin - 69-71=140 (-4)
T4. Corey Conners, Kent State - 67-75=142 (-2)
T4. Thomas Detry, Illinois - 68-74=142 (-2)
T6. Charlie Danielson, Illinois - 65-78=143 (-1)
T6. Ian Davis, Oklahoma State - 72-71=143 (-1)
T8. Cody Gribble, TEXAS - 70-74=144 (E)
T8. Brian Campbell, Illinois - 77-67=144 (E)
T8. Taylor Moore, Arkansas - 72-72=144 (E)
Additional Texas Players
T11. Toni Hakula - 69-76=145 (+1)
T17. Brandon Stone - 72-74=146 (+2)
T24. Kramer Hickok - 74-74=148 (+4)
75. Julio Vegas - 78-86=164 (+20)
Post-round Quotes
Texas Head Coach John Fields
On Texas' second round: I thought the guys did a good job of hanging in there. We lost some shots coming in on 17 and 18 - they're great holes - and we didn't play as well as we could've on those last couple. That cost us a few shots, and in this format, you like to keep those when you can.
On plans for Saturday's final round: We're in O.K. position going into the final day. We need to do the normal thing - work really hard this afternoon and get some good rest so we can come out and enjoy the round tomorrow, maybe give those guys in front of us a little bit of a run.
