The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational
No. 8 Men’s Golf concludes opening round at OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational
09.20.2024 | Men's Golf
Potter fires a 2-under 68 on Friday and is tied for third in the individual standings.
OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. — The No. 8 Texas Men's Golf team carded a 1-over-par 281 on Friday to rest in eighth place after the opening round of the OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational at Olympia Fields Country Club. The Longhorns are eight shots off the lead but just two strokes out of a tie for second place following the opening 18 holes.
Junior Luke Potter fired a 2-under 68 and is tied for third in the individual standings. In addition to Potter's effort, Texas counted scores from junior Christiaan Maas (1-under 69), junior Tommy Morrison (1-under 69) and sophomore Ben DeLaRosa (5-over 75) on Friday.
No. 2 Arizona State registered a 7-under 273 and holds a six-stroke lead in the team standings. No. 9 Florida, No. 16 North Carolina and No. 17 Georgia Tech are each tied for second at 1-under 279. The 15-team field features 12 squads in the latest Bushnell/Golfweek Division I Coaches poll (Sept. 20), including five in the top 10.
Arizona State's Jose Luis Ballester and Benjamin Reuter of Georgia Tech share the individual lead after the first 18 holes after each posted a 6-under 64. Potter is among a group of eight players who are all tied for third at 2-under 68.
Due to the threat of inclement weather later this weekend in the Chicago area, Saturday's second-round tee times have been moved up 30 minutes to begin at 7:30 a.m. CT. The plan is to have continuous play into the third round with the goal of completing the remaining 36 holes of the tournament on Saturday. If all 36 holes cannot be completed tomorrow, then the remainder of the competition will be completed on Sunday.
Texas will be paired with No. 5 Illinois and Northwestern for Saturday's second round, and tee times will begin at 7:30 a.m. Central off the 1st tee.
The Lineup
- Junior Luke Potter posted a season-best 2-under 68 and is tied for third in the individual standings. Potter registered three birdies (holes 5, 12 and 15) against just one bogey (hole 16) while recording 14 pars on Friday.
- Junior Tommy Morrison fired a 1-under 69 and is tied for 11th place. Morrison, who tallied five birdies in his opening round, was 1-over through his opening 14 holes but rallied to make birdie on holes 16 and 17 and finished at 1-under.
- Junior Christiaan Maas recorded a 1-under 69 and is tied for 11th place. Maas, who registered four birdies on Friday, was 1-over at the turn but made birdies on holes 10 and 17 in addition to seven pars on the back-nine to finish at 1-under.
- Sophomore Ben DeLaRosa posted a 5-over 75 and is tied for 61st place.
- Sophomore Jack Gilbert tallied an 8-over 78 and is tied for 74th place.
Players Mentioned
