May 20, 2010
The No. 2-ranked Texas A&M men's golf team lived up to its billing by grabbing a share of the lead at the NCAA South Central Regional Thursday at the Traditions Club Golf Course.
The top-seeded Aggies scorched their home course with an 11-under par score of 277, and shared the first-round lead with TCU. The Aggies' score was the third-lowest postseason round in school history behind a 273 at last year's NCAA West Regional and a 276 at the 2009 NCAA Championships.
“We are very pleased with that start,” Aggie coach J.T. Higgins said. “We played very solid from the top of the lineup to the bottom. That's what makes a good team. If everyone does their job, and if one or two players have a great round, it gives us a great chance to win.”
The Aggies and Horned Frogs are trailed by No. 22 North Florida (-8), No. 10 Texas Tech (-6), Wichita State (-5), Pepperdine (-2), Auburn (even), Baylor (+3), Tulsa (+4), No. 16 Georgia (+6), Rice (+11), North Carolina (+13), Georgetown (+15) and Jackson State (+37).
Higgins said his team's opening round play put it in great position for the rest of the tournament, and praised the local organizing committee's efforts to make the regional run smoothly.
“We are in a very strong position and hopefully we can separate ourselves from the field on Friday,” Higgins said. “The course is in great shape and I think it was a good test for the players. If the wind picks up, it will get tougher and the scores will go up. The staff and volunteers are doing a great job of running the tournament, and we are looking forward to some terrific crowds over the weekend.”
The Aggies were led by junior Nacho Elvira, who grabbed a share of the first-round lead with a six-under 66. Elvira offset a single bogey with seven birdies, including three on the last four holes. Elvira's score matched the low round of his A&M career (66 at the 2008
Barona Cup). Senior Andrea Pavan and sophomore Jordan Russell fired rounds of two-under par 70 and are tied for 10th. Freshman Cameron Peck turned in a one-under 71 and is tied for 12th. Junior John Hurley shot an even-par 72 and is tied for 23rd.
A&M will begin teeing off at 9:10 a.m. from the first tee, and are paired with TCU and North Florida. Admission to the tournament is free.