@MizzouMensGolf Up Big After Day One at Turning Stone-Tiger Intercollegiate
9/3/2017 9:23:00 PM | Men's Golf
Buckley, Franssen battling atop the leaderboard for individual championship
VERONA, N.Y. - After one day and two rounds of play, Mizzou Men's Golf holds a commanding 40-stroke lead at the Turning Stone-Tiger Intercollegiate, shooting a collective 12-under-par as a team. Head coach Mark Leroux's Tigers are in the midst of a dominant performance, as all five members of the competitive lineup currently sit in the Top-5 as individuals. Despite bad weather throughout Sunday, the Black & Gold remained focused and sharp.
Leading the way for Mizzou was senior Hayden Buckley (Belden, Miss.), who has a shot at his first-ever individual championship. Buckley played a steady 72 during Round One, but really turned it on in Round Two, shooting a 67, which was the second-best single-round score of his career.
Nipping at Buckley's heels was sophomore Rory Franssen (Inverness, Scotland), who like Buckley, shot an even 72 to open play before coming alive in the afternoon. Franssen shot a 68 in the second round, tying his single-round career low. He and Buckley are separated by a single stroke atop the leaderboard, and will likely be the two battling for top honors coming down the stretch.
Freshman Jamie Stewart (Renfrewshire, Scotland) is not far behind, trailing his childhood friend Franssen by just two strokes (70-72 -- 142). Stewart got off to a hot start in the morning despite the rain, shooting his first-ever collegiate round under-par to jump out to an early individual lead. He followed it up with a steady 72, keeping his name close to the top of the standings so that he might make a run at the title in Monday's third and final round.
Fourth on his own team and fourth in the tournament overall, junior Matt Echelmeier (Columbia, Mo.) has compiled an even record after two rounds of play. After a first round 74, Echelmeier bounced back with a second round 70, which tied as the second-lowest single-round score of his career.
Freshman Jack Parker (Columbia, Mo.), like fellow freshman Stewart, has put together a solid collegiate debut. The Father Tolton Catholic High School product heads into the third round just eight strokes off the lead and tied for fifth, individually.
Senior Trevor Ullestad (Jewell, Iowa), who is playing as an unattached individual, finished the first day of action in fine shape, as well, tied for 12th individually (77-75 -- 152).
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