COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Led by individual champion John Murdock, the Wyoming Cowboy golf team earned its first tournament victory since 2013 at the 49th annual Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational on Sunday. The Pokes shattered the previous program record score of 19-under par set at last season's Mark Simpson Colorado Invitational, recording a three-day score of 835 (-29). Murdock ran away with the individual title, posting a score of 70 (-2) on Sunday for a three-day total of 202 (-14). The Laramie native won the event by five strokes and set a UW individual record for low event score, breaking the previous record of 12-under par set by Kurt Kowaluk in 2002.
"We just focused on playing well today," said UW head coach Joe Jensen following the victory. "Not really thinking about winning or losing, but just going out and playing. With this team, there's a lot of emotional consistency. That's a big trait as a student-athlete and I saw that today. These guys work really hard and they pay the price. They make a lot of sacrifices to work on their craft, and that's why coaching them is a pleasure. Wins are hard. We're going to enjoy this for a couple days, but then we have to hit rest and get focused for the CSU event."
Murdock became the first Cowboy to win a tournament since teammate Drew McCullough claimed a victory at the Ram Masters Invitational in 2014. Murdock started the day with a bogey but rebounded with an eagle on the par-five fifth hole on his way to a final-round 70. The Cowboys excelled on par-fives throughout the tournament, leading the field with a 4.55 stroke average while going 27-under on such holes.
"I think the thing that got me through the whole tournament was being resilient mentally, not reacting to anything," said Murdock following the individual and team victories. "Ryan (Wallen) and I talked a lot about that. I kind of had a slow start, but I didn't get upset and I knew there was a lot of golf left. I stayed in the moment the whole day. I can't help but think about how much work we've all put in. I just know how much every single one of us loves the game of golf. There's definitely no better way to start the year. It's a top of the world type of feeling."
Not to be forgotten in the midst of Murdock's incredible tournament is McCullough, who carded an even 72 on Sunday to tie for third place overall with a total score of 208 (-8). McCullough showed toughness on Sunday, responding to five bogeys with five birdies to save an even round. Also shining on the final day of competition was senior Glenn Workman, who worked his way up the leaderboard thanks to five birdies of his own for a third-round 69 (-3). Workman's total score of 212 (-4) was good enough to tie for 13th place, the highest finish of his career.
The Cowboy lineup showed strength from top to bottom throughout the tournament and especially on Sunday, as all five members were even or under-par during the final round of competition. Senior Quintin Pope continued his climb up the leaderboard with a final-round 70 (-2), tallying three birdies and just one bogey on the final day to end in a tie for 35th place with a tournament score of 217 (+1). Fellow senior Arron Lickteig showed resolve after a double-bogey on the third hole of the day, responding with an immediate birdie and recording three birdies on the back nine to end the day with a score of 72 (E). Lickteig's three-day score of 219 (+3) landed him in a tie for 46th place on the individual leaderboard.
Playing as an individual, freshman Carl Underwood ended his first career tournament with a final-round score of 75 (+3). The Richland, Wash., native ended the tournament tied for 84th place with a three-day score of 226 (+10). Meanwhile, fellow individual Dan Starzinski posted a final-round 80 (+8) for a three-day score of 232 (+16).
With a third-round score of 281 (-7) to end the tourney at 835 (-29), the Cowboys held off rival Colorado State (840, -24) by five strokes for the win. Colorado placed third at 843 (-21), while UNLV used a solid final round to finish fourth at 851 (-13). Utah rounded out the top five with a tournament score of 852 (-12). Colorado State's Max Oelfke was the runner-up to Murdock on the individual leaderboard at 207 (-9).
After their first team victory since 2013, the Cowboys will stay close to home for their next tournament as they head to the Ram Masters Invitational in Fort Collins, Colo., on Sept. 18-19. Stay tuned to GoWyo.com and @wyo_golf on Twitter for additional information as the Cowboys attempt to stay hot on the links.
Wyoming Results
1. John Murdock: 67+65+70 = 202 (-14)
T3. Drew McCullough: 70+66+72 = 208 (-8)
T13. Glenn Workman: 74+69+69 = 212 (-4)
T35. Quintin Pope: 77+70+70 = 217 (+1)
T46. Arron Lickteig: 74+73+72 = 219 (+3)
T84. Carl Underwood (I): 75+76+75 = 226 (+10)
101. Dan Starzinski (I): 78+74+80 = 232 (+16)
Team Standings
1. Wyoming: 284+270+281 = 835 (-29)
2. Colorado State: 282+275+283 = 840 (-24)
3. Colorado: 284+281+278 = 843 (-21)
4. UNLV: 286+290+275 = 851 (-13)
5. UTEP: 292+279+281 = 852 (-12)
