OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. – The Texas A&M men's golf team made a 14-shot improvement from Friday's opening round to climb the leaderboard at the Olympia Fields Country Club Fighting Illini Invitational, finishing the day in eighth place.
Prior to Saturday's second turn through the North Course at Olympia Fields Country Club, Texas A&M found out it would be without freshman Cameron Champ for the remainder of the weekend, as the Sacramento, Calif., native withdrew from the event due to back stiffness.
“I'm really proud of the guys today,” Texas A&M head coach J.T Higgins said. “It was a really amazing effort playing when they knew that every shot they took was going to count. They clutched up and played great golf.”
The Aggies (304-290=594, +34) rose three spots in the team standings to end the day. Baylor, meanwhile, took over the pole position on the leaderboard at 16 over par and will enter the event's final round on Sunday with an eight-stroke lead over host school Illinois (+24).
Junior Adrià Arnaus (73-71=144, +4) also ascended the individual leaderboard during Saturday's second round, shooting one-over par to climb seven spots into a tie for seventh place.
Andrew Lister (75-72=147, +7) holds a spot in the top 20 as the San Diego, Calif., product owns a share of 18th place, while rookie Andrew Paysse (78-72=150, +10) will enter the final round in 34th place.
Ben Crancer (87-75=162,+22) bounced back after firing a disappointing 87 in the first round to card a round of five-over par Saturday to end the day in 72nd place.
“This course is really is tough,” Higgins added. “It wasn't much easier out there today, it was cold and windy, but our guys handled it all well and showed what they're made of. We've put ourselves in good position with one more round to go, to have a real nice tournament.”
Sunday's final round will see the Aggies tee off at No. 10 beginning at 7:30 a.m. alongside Oklahoma and Stanford.