Jan. 31, 2011
Results
TUCSON, Ariz. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men's golf team shot an opening-round 11-over-par 295, but was 2-under through 11 holes of the second round when play was suspended because of darkness Monday at the Arizona Invitational, which is being played at Arizona National Golf Club (par 71, 6,793 yards).
The Rebels are in a three-way tie for first place at 9-over with San Diego State and UTEP. The Aztecs (285 during the first round) have completed 10 holes of the second round, while the Miners (293) have played 13. Pacific (289) and Pepperdine (285) are both tied for fourth at 10-over through 14 holes of round two.
The entire field battled tough weather all day, while as many as eight squalls blew over the course during play, which included two bouts with hail. The weather certainly affected play, as the first round took six hours to complete and saw just six individual rounds under par.
The Rebels were led individually by junior Derek Ernst, who is in third place at 3-under through 11 holes of the second round, one shot off the lead. Ernst completed 11 holes of the second round and was 5-under when play was halted. He shot 2-over 73 during the first round, but an eagle on the par-5 fifth, and birdies on holes seven, eight and nine put him in contention. He started the second round on hole No. 3.
Pepperdine's Andrew Putnam and Arizona's Stefan Cox are tied for the individual lead at 4-under. Putnam shot 6-under 65 during the first round, while Cox turned in a 4-under 67. Putnam is through 14 holes in the second round, while Cox has played 13.
Rebel freshman Blake Biddle is the other UNLV golfer in the top 10 as he is tied for eighth through 11 holes of the second round at 2-over. He shot even-par 71 during the opening round.
Other Rebel players, first round scores, total score and holes played during second round: sophomore Kevin Penner is tied for 31st (75, 5-over, 11), junior Colby Smith is also tied for 31st (76, 5-over, 11), senior Jeremiah Wooding is tied for 54th (76, 9-over, 11) and freshman Max Kraemer, who is playing as an individual, is tied for 69th (82, 14-over, 10).
The tournament features 16 teams and 93 individuals. The original schedule called for 36 holes on Monday, but play was suspended at 5:45 p.m. MST. Some teams have as many as nine holes to complete before the final round can begin. Play Tuesday is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. MST.
Live scoring is available through a link at UNLVRebels.com, courtesy of Golfstat.
