Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
UTSA Intercollegiate
Merrell Tied in Second Place at UTSA
February 19, 2008 | Men's Golf
Feb. 19, 2008
LUBBOCK, Texas - Garrett Merrell continues to have the hot hand for the Red Raider golf team during the brief spring season after firing a 3-under 139 during the first two rounds of the UTSA Invitational on Monday at Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio. The Texas Tech junior opened with a 70 and followed with a 69 on the 6,765-yard, par-71 layout.
Merrell is currently tied in second place with Mississippi State's Josh Oller and both are two shots off of the lead. Merrell has been under par four-straight rounds, including the final two rounds of the Hawaii-Hilo Intercollegiate two weeks ago, where he finished among the top ten. MSU's Noah Goldman blistered the course Monday with a 7-under 64 in the second round after posting a 73 to open. He sits at 137.
The No. 17 Red Raiders are currently six shots back in second place, trailing No. 25 Mississippi State (292-275--567). Tech (286-287--573) led after the first round after firing a 286, but MSU, behind the play of Goldman, was 11 strokes better in the second with a 275. The Bulldogs were in fifth place following a first-round 292.
Texas Tech junior Santiago Rivas carded rounds of 72-70 and is tied in fifth place at even par. Freshman Sergio Franky, turning in two of his best back-to-back rounds, shot 71-74 and is tied in 15th place. Sophomore Will Griffin, playing on his home course, posted a 5-over 147 with rounds of 73-74, while Red Raider newcomer Chris Ward struggled on the day after shooting 77-74. He is tied in 42nd place. Sophomore Matt Smith, competing as an individual, is tied in eight place with a 2-over 144.
Following Mississippi State and Texas Tech in the standings are Sam Houston State (585), Wichita State (586), Louisiana-Monroe (588), Oklahoma (588), host Texas-San Antonio (590), Central Arkansas (595), Stephen F. Austin (598) and DePaul (602) in the top ten, respectively. Air Force (604), Illinois State (604), Texas State (605), Rhode Island (608), Marshall (609), Texas-San Antonio "B" (622) and McNeese State (628) round out the field.
The final round of the 54-hole tournament gets underway Tuesday morning.
Players Mentioned
