Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders In Third Through 18 Holes In Albuquerque
May 16, 2016 | Men's Golf
After chipping in for eagle on 15, Hurly Long (E) is tied for 10th as an individual through round one.
May 16, 2016
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- After what was a rollercoaster day for all 14 competing teams, the Texas Tech men's golf team landed in third place at the end of round one of the 2016 NCAA Albuquerque Regional, at the UNM Championship Course, on Monday.On a day where nine different teams had the overall lead at some point, the Red Raiders shot a 3-over 291. Only Arizona State (-2) managed to go under-par for the day. The only other school the Red Raiders currently trail is South Florida (+1). Tech is currently ahead of five teams that rank above it in the current GolfStat rankings, including No. 3 Southern California (+4).
"I think we could have played better, but there were definitely some bright spots across the board," Texas Tech head coach Greg Sands said. "With only one team finishing under par, it was a day where everyone had to grind it out, but we're in a really good spot. I'm looking forward to seeing us compete tomorrow. Overall, I am pleased with our start and the resilience we showed today."
Artac rolls home a 🐥 on 6 to get himself back to -2 and give the Red Raiders the overall lead at -3! #NCAAGolf pic.twitter.com/ZTlWUUleT0
- Texas Tech Mens Golf (@TTUMensGolf) May 16, 2016
The Red Raiders came out firing as Wes Artac birdied both No. 1 and No. 2 while Hannes Ronneblad birdied the first as well. As a team, Tech did not make a bogey until the fifth hole. By then, Tech was 5-under on the day and had a three-shot lead on the field.
However, Tech would backslide on holes 7-9, combining to go 9-over. Tech began the back nine a little off as well, combining to go 3-over on holes 10-13.
On the par-4 15th, it began to turn. Ivan Ramirez carded a birdie, and then Hurly Long, after nearly driving the green, holed out his chip for eagle. Suddenly after a Ronneblad birdie on 12, Tech was back to 2-over and within a shot of the lead.
From there, Tech encountered some trouble on No. 16 and No. 17, but was able to go 3-under as a team on 18 to enter the clubhouse at 3-over.
Individually, Long and Artac are tied for 10th after even-par 72's, and Ronneblad (+1) is tied for 16th. Federico Zucchetti (+2) is tied for 24th and Ivan Ramirez (+4) is tied for 40th.
The Red Raiders will begin tomorrow's second round at 10:15 a.m. CT, led off by Ramirez and followed by Zucchetti, Ronneblad, Artac and Long. Tech will be paired with first-place Arizona State and second-place South Florida.
Golfstat will provide live scoring for tomorrow and Sunday's rounds here.
For more information on Texas Tech men's golf, fans can follow the program on its social media outlets on Facebook and Twitter.
