Senior Stephen Stallings is in a tie for eighth overall on the individual leaderboard to lead all Kentucky men’s golfers through 36 holes of action following the opening day of play at the Bearcat Invitational. Stallings posted rounds of 70 and 72 for an even-par combined score to help UK to fifth place.
Kentucky fought off rainy conditions for much of its opening round, before enjoying a beautiful afternoon in which the Wildcats fired a season-low 286. Stallings leads four combined golfers in the top 25.
A final 18 holes will be played at the Coldstream Country Club on Tuesday to determine a 54-hole winner.
What Head Coach Brian Craig is Saying:
“I love this team, but we did not have it today. Way too many unforced errors for a team with this kind of talent. The good news I we still have a chance with an exceptional effort tomorrow. I can’t wait to get out there tomorrow and see what we can do.”
About the lineup:
Stallings opened the tournament with a team-low round of 70, to match his low round of the young season. His opening 18 holes of play featured four birdies including a round-saving three on the par-four 17th. An even par front nine was the highlight of his second round as he enters the final 18 holes six shots off the individual leader.
Juniors Cooper Musselman and Tyler “Chip” McDaniel are tied for 18th overall on the individual leaderboard. Musselman logged rounds of 73 and 72, while McDaniel posted scores of 75 and 70. McDaniel’s second round was his first par-or-better round of the season and his one-under round in the second 18 holes of action on Monday was a team-low round.
Junior Evan Cox rounded out UK’s scoring with a four-over combined score following rounds of 74 and 72. Cox had five combined birdies on the day. He is the fourth Wildcat to post a top-25 score as he finished round two in a tie for 24th.
The Bearcat Invitational features an untraditional format in which each team starts six golfers with the top four scores counting towards the team score. Sophomore Fred Allen Meyer, posted rounds of 75 and is currently tied for 40th overall. Freshman Allen Hamilton, making his first career start for the Wildcats, carded scores of 76s in both rounds and is tied for 47th.
The Tournament Field:
Michigan State is the leader through 36 holes with a 2-under par score. Ohio State is just one stroke off of the lead, while the College of Charleston fired an even par score. The host Bearcats are in fourth with an eight-over score, and UK rounds out the top five with a 10-over par.
About the Course:
This marks the second time in the Craig era that Kentucky will compete in the Bearcat Invitational after taking second place in 2011. The course itself is one of Cincinnati’s premier private clubs and plays 7,081 yards from the tips and holds a par of 71 while featuring bent grass greens and winter rye fairways. Live stats can be found at birdiefire.com. Players will tee off beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET for the final 18 holes on Tuesday.
Coldstream Country Club
Cincinnati, Ohio
Sept. 25-26
Par: 71
Yardage: 7,081
5 – Kentucky (292, 286 – 578, +10)
T8 – Stephen Stallings (70, 72 – 142, E)
T18 – Cooper Musselman (73, 72 – 145, +3)
T18 – Chip McDaniel (75, 70 – 145, +3)
T24 – Evan Cox (74, 72 – 146, +4)
T40 – Fred Allen Meyer (75, 75 – 150, +8)
T47 – Allen Hamilton (76, 76 – 152, +10)
For the latest on the Kentucky men’s golf team, follow @UKMensGolf on Twitter and on the web at UKathletics.com.
Deb Moore
Assistant Media Relations Director
University of Kentucky
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