UNLV golf team fifth after first round of regional
It took UNLV the better part of its first round to get untracked at the Sagamore Golf Club on Thursday. But once the Rebels found their groove, they played their way into contention at the NCAA men’s golf regional in Noblesville, Ind.
UNLV is in fifth place after posting a 7-over-par team score of 295. The Rebels are 18 shots behind Colorado, which set a blistering pace with an 11-under 277.
“We could’ve easily given up but the guys didn’t quit,” coach Dwaine Knight said. “It’s a tough course and, with the wind blowing, it’s hard to put the ball where you want to.”
UNLV couldn’t get out of first gear as it began play on No. 10. The team’s opening nine holes were a bogey-fest as the starting five had 10 bogeys, four double-bogeys and a triple-bogey. As they made the turn, the Rebels were in last place in the 14-team field.
But they adjusted, the mistakes diminished and led by senior Kurt Kitayama’s 1-under 71, the Rebels climbed back into contention. They played the par-5s much better and though no one else broke par, the scores were good enough to keep UNLV in contention heading into today’s second round.
Junior AJ McInerney, who took freshman John Oda’s place in the lineup after a sprained wrist wrist kept Oda from competing, had a 2-over 74. Senior Carl Jonson finished with a 75 as did freshman Shintaro Ban, who had the triple-bogey on the par-4 12th that prevented him from breaking even on the day.
Senior Nicholas Maruri had a tough day playing the No. 5 spot. Maruri made the turn at 8-over and finished with an 81. His score did not count as the top four make up the team’s total.
“The front side is a little easier to score on and our guys started to relax,” Knight said. “We played the par-5s and the par-3s better and that helped turn things around.
“I thought AJ gave us a nice boost. It was one of his best rounds of the year and Kitty continues to be our leader.”
The top five teams advance to the NCAA Championships in Bradenton, Fla., May 29 to June 3. The Rebels are just two shots out of fourth place going into the second round of the 54-hole event and once again will play their round with Alabama and Southern Methodist, the teams they competed with Thursday.
“I think we’ve seen what shots worked well and which ones didn’t,” Knight said. “We’ll start from No. 1 so I hope we get off to a better start. But this is a tough golf course and we just need to play well these next two days. That’s what it’s going to come down to.”
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.