BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – University of Houston senior Braxton Watkins stood in fourth with a score of 145 to lead the Cougars following the first day of the Aggie Invitational at Traditions Club.
As a team, the Cougars posted a 36-hole total of 597 to tie for fourth with No. 32 New Mexico with teams still on the course before darkness suspended play Saturday night. Houston opened the tournament with a 293 on Saturday morning and followed with a 304 in the afternoon session.
Watkins opened the tournament with a 3-under 69, thanks to a team-high six birdies. The Winthrop, Ark., native opened his day with a birdie on the par-5 10th hole and overcame a bogey on the next hole with three straight birdies on Nos. 13-15.
Despite a bogey on No. 2, Watkins quickly rallied with another birdie on the 429-yard, par-4 fourth hole and drained his final birdie of the round on the par-3 seventh hole to finish with a 69 and tie for his season low.
Senior Alexander Frances was tied for 22nd at 151, while senior Andrew Gibson and redshirt freshman Jacob Borow were tied for 25th at 152. Playing as an individual, junior Austyn Reily was tied for 44th at 156, while junior Marcus Wochner was tied for 47th at 157.
Host and 23rd-ranked Texas A&M held the first-day lead at +6 to finish nine strokes ahead of No. 10 Arkansas. No. 7 Texas Tech stood in third at +18, while No. 40 Louisville was tied for sixth at +28.
North Texas (+28), Kent State (+29), No. 43 Little Rock (+32), Baylor (+40), UTSA (+41) and Northern Illinois (+57) were still on the course with 3-4 holes remaining in the Second Round when play was suspended.
Texas A&M’s Walker Lee held the individual lead at 3-under 141 to stand one shot ahead of Texas Tech’s Ludvig Aberg. New Mexico’s Bastien Amat finished the first day in third at 143.
LIVE SCORING
Fans can follow live scoring at the Aggie Invitational by clicking here.
PAIRINGS
Sunday’s Final Round will begin after the remaining six teams complete their Second Rounds.
Fans can find complete pairings by clicking here.
UP NEXT
Following the Aggie Invitational, the Cougars will send individual student-athletes to compete at the Bayou City Collegiate Classic. That tournament will be held at Walden Golf Club on Lake Conroe in Montgomery, Texas, on April 11-12.
The Cougars then take their first step in the postseason when they tee off at the American Athletic Conference Championships on April 22-24 at Southern Hills Plantation in Brooksville, Fla.
The winner of the league’ annual postseason tournament receives an automatic bid to NCAA Regional play, set for May 16-18 at one of six sites across the nation.
JOIN PROJECT 17
Fans are invited to join Project 17 to support Houston Men’s Golf. Project members provide financial support directly to Houston Men’s Golf for needs beyond the program’s operating budget.
For information about Project 17 or to join, fans can click here.
STAY CONNECTED
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– UHCougars.com –