MARICOPA, Ariz. – With junior John Murdock leading the way yet again, the University of Wyoming men's golf team is in second place after two rounds as it hosts the Southern Dunes Invitational at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club. The Cowboys posted rounds of 288 (E) and 289 (+1) on their way to a 36-hole total of 577 (+1), four strokes back of current leader Loyola Marymount. Murdock is currently fourth on the individual leaderboard with a two-round total of 140 (-4) after carding a 70 (-2) in each round on Saturday.
"I'm appreciative of Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club and us being able to host the event," said UW head coach Joe Jensen. "They host many championship events, including PGA Tour Qualifying School a couple weeks ago. It's truly a championship golf course and it's playing very difficult. This golf course penalizes poor shots more so than other courses. It's a different style course than the ones we've played this year, so I'm proud of the way the kids are working through it."
In the morning round, Murdock posted one of the Cowboys' four Saturday eagles on the par-four, 323-yard 14th hole to get to two-under. He dropped in four birdies during the afternoon round to finish the day four-under, six strokes back of leader Riley Elmes of Loyola Marymount and three strokes back of second-place Brian Humphreys of Boise State. Cowboy senior Drew McCullough, playing in the same group as Humphreys, used four second-round birdies as well as an eagle on the par-five, 576-yard 16th hole for an afternoon 69 (-3) after a morning 77 (+5). McCullough is tied for 14th place at 146 (+2) with one round remaining.
"I'm pleased that John (Murdock) stayed disciplined to his process," Jensen said on Saturday. "He's thinking the right way and being patient. He's mentally sharp. Drew (McCullough) got off to a difficult start and I'm proud of the way he hung in there and got it going. He played well in the afternoon."
Senior Quintin Pope was steady on Saturday, balancing three bogies with three birdies in the morning round on his way to a 72 (E). He added a 76 (+4) in the afternoon round and currently sits tied for 24th place at 148 (+4). Senior Arron Lickteig was brilliant in the morning round, shooting 70 (-2) after four birdies and an eagle. Lickteig added a 79 (+7) later in the day for a 36-hole total of 149 (+5), putting him in a tie for 29th place entering the final day of golf.
Rounding out the Cowboy lineup was senior Glenn Workman, who holds a share of 33rd place after he carded rounds of 76 (+4) and 74 (+2) on Saturday. Sophomore Dan Starzinski, playing as an individual, posted rounds of 75 (+3) and 76 (+4) on the first day and is currently tied for 36th place, while freshman and fellow individual Carl Underwood is tied for 38th after shooting 76 (+4) in each round on Saturday.
A shotgun start will get things going at 8:30 a.m. MT on Sunday for the final 18 holes of the Wyoming Southern Dunes Invitational. Stay tuned to live results at the link above and follow @wyo_golf on twitter for more coverage.
Wyoming Results
4. John Murdock: 70+70 = 140 (-4)
T14. Drew McCullough: 77+69 = 146 (+2)
T24. Quintin Pope: 72+76 = 148 (+4)
T29. Arron Lickteig: 70+79 = 149 (+5)
T33. Glenn Workman: 76+74 = 150 (+6)
T36. Dan Starzinski (I): 75+76 = 151 (+7)
T38. Carl Underwood (I): 76+76 = 152 (+8)
Team Standings
1. Loyola Marymount: 294+279 = 573 (-3)
2. Wyoming: 288+289 = 577 (+1)
3. Boise State: 290+290 = 580 (+4)
4. Sam Houston State: 293+288 = 581 (+5)
5. Washington State: 295+288 = 583 (+7)
