SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Texas A&M men's golf team got off to a strong start at the Desert Mountain Intercollegiate Saturday, holding second place on the leaderboard after 36 holes of competition on the Outlaw Course.
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The Aggies (277-287=564, -12) are just two shots off the pace set by tournament host and standings leader Michigan (278-284=562, -14). Meanwhile, Pepperdine (-7), Tennessee (-2) and Purdue (+1) round out the top five schools on the 12-team leaderboard.
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"I'm very proud of how this team is coming along," Texas A&M head coach J.T. Higgins said. "Today's first round was outstanding with four guys shooting under par. The pins were a little tougher and the wind picked up in the afternoon so the scores weren't quite as low. Really other than Ben [Crancer], who played terrific all day long to lead the golf tournament, nobody could get anything going in the afternoon. The guys hung in there though and kept fighting."
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Individually, senior Ben Crancer (69-67=136, -8) sits atop the player standings, recording 13 birdies on the day to put the Kirkwood, Mo., native in position to win his first tournament since the Dick's Challenge Cup in September 2013.
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"I can't say enough about how well Ben played," Higgins added. "He was in control of his golf ball and his emotions and took care of business out there. It was a really fantastic job by him. He gave himself lots of opportunities and was able to convert them."
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Fellow senior Adria Arnaus (69-72=141, -3) also holds a spot in the top five, sharing a five-way tie for third place on the leaderboard. Meanwhile, sophomore Cameron Champ (68-75=143, -1) and freshman Chandler Phillips (71-73=144, E) maintain ties for 13th and 19th, respectively.
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Senior Andrew Lister (74-76=150, +6) rounded out the A&M lineup in a tie for 44th while sophomore Andrew Paysse (70-75=145, +1), who is participating as an individual, owns a share of 23rd.
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"It's going to be a battle tomorrow," Higgins said. "We're only two shots behind and in position to win the tournament. If we keep putting ourselves in these spots, things are going to go our way."
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The tournament concludes Sunday morning with the Aggies paired alongside Michigan and Pepperdine, scheduled to tee off at 9:30 a.m. (CT).
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The Aggies (277-287=564, -12) are just two shots off the pace set by tournament host and standings leader Michigan (278-284=562, -14). Meanwhile, Pepperdine (-7), Tennessee (-2) and Purdue (+1) round out the top five schools on the 12-team leaderboard.
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"I'm very proud of how this team is coming along," Texas A&M head coach J.T. Higgins said. "Today's first round was outstanding with four guys shooting under par. The pins were a little tougher and the wind picked up in the afternoon so the scores weren't quite as low. Really other than Ben [Crancer], who played terrific all day long to lead the golf tournament, nobody could get anything going in the afternoon. The guys hung in there though and kept fighting."
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Individually, senior Ben Crancer (69-67=136, -8) sits atop the player standings, recording 13 birdies on the day to put the Kirkwood, Mo., native in position to win his first tournament since the Dick's Challenge Cup in September 2013.
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"I can't say enough about how well Ben played," Higgins added. "He was in control of his golf ball and his emotions and took care of business out there. It was a really fantastic job by him. He gave himself lots of opportunities and was able to convert them."
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Fellow senior Adria Arnaus (69-72=141, -3) also holds a spot in the top five, sharing a five-way tie for third place on the leaderboard. Meanwhile, sophomore Cameron Champ (68-75=143, -1) and freshman Chandler Phillips (71-73=144, E) maintain ties for 13th and 19th, respectively.
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Senior Andrew Lister (74-76=150, +6) rounded out the A&M lineup in a tie for 44th while sophomore Andrew Paysse (70-75=145, +1), who is participating as an individual, owns a share of 23rd.
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"It's going to be a battle tomorrow," Higgins said. "We're only two shots behind and in position to win the tournament. If we keep putting ourselves in these spots, things are going to go our way."
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The tournament concludes Sunday morning with the Aggies paired alongside Michigan and Pepperdine, scheduled to tee off at 9:30 a.m. (CT).