March 11, 2011
LAS VEGAS - Junior Jordan Russell carded an 8-under 64 Friday--the third best round in school history--to lead the No. 8-ranked Texas A&M men's golf team to a commanding 12-stroke lead after the first day of the Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters.
Russell (College Station) was one shy of his own school record, set earlier this season, and was par or better on every hole at Southern Highlands Golf Club. He tallied eight birdies including four in a row on holes 12-15.
"I know we have had lower scores, even this year, but that is the best round anyone has ever played at Texas A&M," head coach J.T. Higgins said. "Against this field, on this course with these greens and pins, no one has been better. He was in complete control out there - patient and poised, professional. I'm not sure what course he was playing and I'm sure the rest of the field is scratching their heads at that score too."
The Aggies finished the round with an 8-under 280 and were the only squad to hit the clubhouse under par. The round was A&M's best ever at the event, which was a 291 in the first round back in 2008.
"What a fantastic day," Higgins said. "The boys were in command all day, physically and mentally. This course is a grind and I was so impressed with our poise and composure regardless of the circumstance. We were on an even keel all day and that allowed us to play at another level."
Arizona State sits in second after shooting a 4-over 292. Four teams are in a four-way tie for third at 6-over in No. 6 Texas, No. 4 Georgia Tech, No. 1 Oklahoma State and No. 21 Cal. No. 19 Texas Tech (+11) is seventh, followed by No. 2 UCLA (+13), TCU (+13), UNLV (+15), No. 22 Duke (+16), No. 14 Georgia (+17), Baylor (+17), Arizona (+18) and No. 24 USC (+23).
Senior Conrad Shindler sits in a tie for second place with a 3-under 69, while sophomore Cameron Peck is in 14th with a 1-over 73. Senior Nacho Elvira (74, +1) is in 17th and senior John Hurley (79, +7) sits in 59th. Sophomore Case Cochran, playing as an individual, fired an 8-over 80.
"It wasn't easy and was really tough when the wind picked up on the back nine but it didn't seem to phase us," Higgins said. "I think today was a great case of a team being absolutely committed to a game plan then executing it really well."
The tournament continues on Saturday at 8 a.m. (PT). Live scoring is available on golfstat.com.