Oct. 11, 2004
ST. CHARLES, Mo. - With the help of three rounds of 2-under-par 69 - including two in career-best efforts - the Missouri men's golf team is tied for the team lead after the first day of play at the Missouri Bluffs Challenge.
The Tigers sit at 1-under 567 after two rounds of play to stand even with Miami University. The RedHawks shot a 3-under 281 to take a two-stroke lead after the morning round, yet the Tigers stayed in the hunt by shooting their best round of the season to date. The Tigers closed one stroke better in the afternoon, though, with a second-round-best 283.
Mizzou has never won its own tournament in nine previous tries, yet has finished second three out of the last four years.
Mizzou's strong play started in the morning when Justin Bliss (Chesterfield, Mo. / Lafayette HS), the team's lone senior, fired a 2-under 69 to shatter his previous career best. Sophomore John Kelly (St. Louis, Mo. / Christian Brothers College HS) did the same in the afternoon round, and the 69 shot in the afternoon by junior Ben Scott (Lancashire, United Kingdom / St. Theodore's HS) was just one off his career best.
Bliss and Kelly were joined in the "best" category by sophomore Shawn Jasper (Marthasville, Mo. / Francis Howell North HS / Newman Univ.), who twice shot his season best Monday by carding a pair of even-par 71's. Junior Chris Mabry (Leawood, Kan. / Bishop Miege HS) rounded out the Tiger scoring with rounds of 74 and 75.
"In a nutshell, I'd say it's about time," Head Coach Mark Leroux said. "The guys have told me, they've said it, this is from them, 'We just need to turn the corner. We just need to have one good tournament.' Well, hopefully this will be it. We got a huge boost from the No. 5 spot; without Justin Bliss, we aren't tied for the lead. Ben Scott played really well, and Shawn Jasper played well. We're certainly excited about the chance to win."
Five additional Tigers are competing as non-scoring competitors. The highest-placed is sophomore Trent Twaddle (Maryville, Mo. / Maryville HS), in a tie for 45th after shooting rounds of 72 and 78.
The tournament concludes Tuesday morning with an 18-hole shotgun beginning at 8 a.m.
NOTABLES: Miami University's Connor Doherty holed his approach shot on the 421-yard par-4 third hole for an eagle. It was one of seven eagles in Monday's two rounds, but the only one not to come on a par-5 ... golfers took advantage of the par-5 first hole Monday. All 549 yards are downhill, and several players reached the green in two. It was one of only two holes to score under par on Monday (4.60), and the only hole under par in both rounds; there were three eagles and 69 birdies on the hole, compared against just one double-bogey and 13 bogeys.