UNLV men’s golf team still struggling

It must have felt like “Groundhog Day” for the UNLV men’s golf team.

Once again, only one Rebel managed to break par Tuesday at the Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters. And as was the case Monday, a UNLV player playing as an individual shot a 7-under 65. And with 18 holes to play today, Dwaine Knight’s team likely needs a miracle if it hopes to repeat as tournament champions at Southern Highlands Golf Club.

The Rebels were 2-over as a team Tuesday and finished with a 290. With a two-day total of 578, they are tied for ninth place in the 15-team field, 20 shots behind first-place Oklahoma State and 18 behind second-place Texas. UNLV has overcome large deficits before. But with virtually everyone in the lineup struggling, it’s going to be a daunting task.

“We’re just not putting it together,” Knight said after his team was paired with Alabama and California during Tuesday’s second round. “We’re not hitting the same shots here that we do during qualifying and it has put us in a tough spot.”

Tuesday, senior Kurt Kitayama posted the best team score, a 1-under par 71. He made the turn at 1-over and finished with birdies at the par-4 16th and the par-5 18th to break par.

But it was the score UNLV needed most that it couldn’t use. Junior AJ McInerney hit all 18 greens, had seven birdies and no bogeys in posting a 7-under 65, matching the 65 teammate Redford Bobbitt put up Monday. Bobbitt, also playing as an individual, managed a 1-under 71 Tuesday and he still has a share of the individual lead with Alabama’s Robby Shelton at 8-under 136.

“It felt great,” said McInerney, the former Coronado High star who has been battling a back injury and took five months off from golf in an attempt to get healthy. “I got a new driver (Tuesday) and I hit it great. I’m hoping this gets me going.”

As for the other Rebels, freshman John Oda bounced back from an opening-round 77 to finish with a 1-over 73. Oda said he came back to Southern Highlands with a fresh mental outlook and it made a big difference.

“I wasn’t thinking as much out there,” he said. “I just went out and played and I made better decisions.”

Senior Nicholas Maruri finished at even par 72 after an opening-round 71. Fellow senior Carl Jonson had a 2-over 74 and sophomore Taylor Montgomery came in with a 5-over 77.

The final round begins at 9 a.m. Admission and parking are free. Live scoring is available online at Golfstat.com.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.