Carlsbad, Calif. – Sophomore Connor Black owns a share of 10th place, just four shots off the lead, as the Texas A&M men's golf team opened play at the Gifford Collegiate at La Costa Legends Course on Monday.
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Black (71, E) carded four birdies to offset a quartet of bogies during his first time around the course in southern California, leaving him with an even-par 71. UCLA's Cole Madey tops the 81-player individual standings at four-under par.
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Meanwhile, A&M senior Ben Crancer (72, +1) is just one shot back of Black in a tie for 17th.
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"Connor and Ben played really solid golf today, but the other three guys really struggled on and around the green," Texas A&M head coach J.T. Higgins said. "We like the golf course and are getting more and more comfortable. We're looking forward to the next two days and moving up the leaderboard."
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The Aggies own a share of eighth place on the 15-team leaderboard, turning in an eight-over par team score of 292 during their opening 18 holes. Stanford and Washington share the pole position on the leaderboard at one-over (285).
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Freshman Chandler Phillips (74, +3) and senior Adria Arnaus (75, +4) opened the event at three and four-over par, respectively. While second-year Aggie Andrew Paysse (78, +7) rounded out the A&M contingency in a tie for 69th.
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"For us to be successful, we need everybody in the round," Higgins added. "We're ok, in the middle of the pack and only seven shots off, but we've got to have everybody ready to play every day. We're a pretty balanced team and we can't afford for anybody to be out of the round early."
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The tournament resumes Tuesday morning with the first Aggie stepping the tee box at No. 1 beginning at 10 a.m. (CT). Texas A&M will be paired alongside golfers from Colorado and San Diego State.
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Black (71, E) carded four birdies to offset a quartet of bogies during his first time around the course in southern California, leaving him with an even-par 71. UCLA's Cole Madey tops the 81-player individual standings at four-under par.
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Meanwhile, A&M senior Ben Crancer (72, +1) is just one shot back of Black in a tie for 17th.
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"Connor and Ben played really solid golf today, but the other three guys really struggled on and around the green," Texas A&M head coach J.T. Higgins said. "We like the golf course and are getting more and more comfortable. We're looking forward to the next two days and moving up the leaderboard."
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The Aggies own a share of eighth place on the 15-team leaderboard, turning in an eight-over par team score of 292 during their opening 18 holes. Stanford and Washington share the pole position on the leaderboard at one-over (285).
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Freshman Chandler Phillips (74, +3) and senior Adria Arnaus (75, +4) opened the event at three and four-over par, respectively. While second-year Aggie Andrew Paysse (78, +7) rounded out the A&M contingency in a tie for 69th.
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"For us to be successful, we need everybody in the round," Higgins added. "We're ok, in the middle of the pack and only seven shots off, but we've got to have everybody ready to play every day. We're a pretty balanced team and we can't afford for anybody to be out of the round early."
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The tournament resumes Tuesday morning with the first Aggie stepping the tee box at No. 1 beginning at 10 a.m. (CT). Texas A&M will be paired alongside golfers from Colorado and San Diego State.
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