Oct. 23, 2004
STANFORD, Calif. - The Missouri men's golf team fired its second-lowest score since 1980, and the Tigers have improved one spot to fourth place after the second round of The Nelson, hosted at the Stanford Golf Club.
The four-man aggregate total is second only to the 269 that the Tigers shot in the second round of the 2002 Nestlé Purina Classic, which MU hosted in St. Charles, Mo. Today's score is slightly skewed, however, as the tournament is being contested on a par-69 course. The Tigers are just five strokes behind first-round leader Georgia State, and 13 strokes behind New Mexico.
Mizzou was led by senior Justin Bliss (Chesterfield, Mo. / Lafayette HS), who carded a career-best 68. He is now tied for 19th at three-over 141. Three Tigers fired even-par 69s: junior Ben Scott (Lancashire, United Kingdom / St. Theodore's HS) and sophomore John Kelly (St. Louis, Mo. / Christian Brothers College HS) tied their season best with their rounds, and junior Chris Mabry (Leawood, Kan. / Bishop Miege HS) was just one off his season best set yesterday with his 69. Mabry is tied for sixth at 1-under 137; Scott is tied for 39th, and Kelly tied for 47th in the 84-player field.
"We started things off well when everyone birdied the first hole. Jasper had to make about a 20-footer for his, but it was fun," Head Coach Mark Leroux said. "We were kind of giving him some grief for being the only guy over par today. What can you say with one-under? As long as everyone stays calm, we'll be OK. The guys are loose; playing well does that to you. It's a pretty cohesive group."
Sophomore Shawn Jasper (Marthasville, Mo. / Francis Howell North HS / Newman Univ.) rounded out Mizzou's play with a two-over 71. He stands in a tie for 12th at one-over 139.
The tournament concludes Sunday.
MIZZOU MEN'S GOLF at The Nelson - Stanford, Calif. Stanford GC - 6,444 yards / par 69-69--138
TEAM STANDINGS (top five through 36 of 54 holes) - 1. New Mexico, 277-269--546; 2. UNLV, 279-268--547; 3. Georgia State, 275-279--554; 4. MIZZOU, 284-275--559; 5. Kansas State, 292-271--563.
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS (top five plus other MU finishers) - 1. Spencer Levin (UNM), 65-65--130; 2. Steve Tiley (Ga. St.), 67-67--134; 3. (tie), Jared Texter (UNLV), 70-65--135; Travis Whisman (UNLV), 71-64--135; Jay Reynolds (UNM), 68-67--135; T6. Chris Mabry, 68-69--137; T12. Shawn Jasper, 68-71--139; T19. Justin Bliss, 73-68--141; T39. Ben Scott, 75-69--144; T47. John Kelly, 76-69--145.