Fort Collins, Colo. (Sept. 17, 2018) --  Wyoming junior Dan Starzinski fired rounds of 67 and 66 on Monday for a 36-hole total of 133 (-7) and leads the Ram Masters Invitational in Fort Collins, Colo., by one stroke heading into Tuesday's final round.
     
As a team, the Wyoming Cowboys concluded the first two rounds tied for eighth place in the 17-team tournament field.  The Pokes are tied with Cal State Fullerton, Seattle and Sam Houston State for eighth.  Leading the tournament is host Colorado State (547, -13) followed by: Illinois State (558, -2), South Dakota (568, +8), Northern Colorado (568, +8), Long Beach State (569, +9), Wichita State (572, +12) and Denver (573, +13).
     
For Starzinski, it is the second consecutive week that he has led a tournament.  He also was the tournament leader at last week's Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational.  He holds a one-stroke lead over Parathakorn Suyasri of Colorado State, who shot a combined score of 134 (-6) in the two rounds Monday.
 
The Cowboys opened the tournament with a first-round score of 291 (+11) to tie for eighth.  UW improved its team score by five strokes in the second round shooting a 286 (+6) to maintain its eighth place position in the standings.                                                                               
Individually, Starzinski fired an opening round score of 67 (-3) to tie for first place with Enrique Marin of Idaho.  Starzinski continued his outstanding play by improving in the second round, with a 66 (-4).
 
"Dan (Starzinski) played two really nice rounds today, and I think with his experience he understands he just needs to stay patient and stick to his game plan again tomorrow," said UW Director of Golf and head coach Joe Jensen.  "Carl (Underwood) played solid both rounds.  Tyler (Severin) as a freshman played okay today.  He improved in the second round.  John (Murdock) had a tough day, particularly in the second round.  We had a wide range of individual scores today.
 
"Obviously, this is the second week in a row that Dan (Starzinski) has been in the thick of things, which is fun for him.  I'm proud of the way Tyler (Severin) played in the afternoon round, shooting a one-over par 71.  Carl didn't start the afternoon round very well, but he played a nice back nine to shoot an even par round of 70.
 
"There are several teams bunched together, and if we have a good day tomorrow we have a chance to move up a few spots.  Our goal tomorrow is to come out with great attitudes and put up a good score."    
     
The tournament is being played at the Fort Collins Country Club.  The course measures 7,218 yards and plays to a par of 70.
 
Tuesday's final round is scheduled to tee off at 8 a.m., Mountain Time.
  
Team Standings
1.   Colorado State                    281-266=547 (-13)
2.   Illinois State                        280-278=558 (-2)    
3.   South Dakota                      292-276=568 (+8)   
      Northern Colorado              288-280=568 (+8)   
5.   Long Beach State                288-281=569 (+9)   
6.   Wichita State                      292-280=572 (+12)
7.   Denver                                288-285=573 (+13)
8.   Wyoming                            291-286=577 (+17)
      Seattle                                285-292=577 (+17)
      Sam Houston State              290-287=577 (+17)
      Cal State Fullerton               297-280=577 (+17)
12.  Washington State               291-288=579 (+19)
13. Rice                                    291-291=582 (+22)
14.  South Dakota State             293-291=584 (+24)
15.  Idaho                                  294-293=587 (+27)
16.  Omaha                               298-290=588 (+28) 
17.  North Dakota State             294-298=592 (+32) 
 
      Wyoming Cowboys
1st              Dan Starzinski         67-66=133 (-7)
Tie 27th      Carl Underwood      73-70=143 (+3)
Tie 61st       Tyler Severin           77-71=148 (+8)
Tie 85th      John Murdock         74-79=153 (+13)
96th           Jimmy Dales            81-85=166 (+26)
 
Wyoming Cowboys Playing as Individuals
Tie 27th      Kirby Coe-Kirkham   72-71=143 (+3)
Tie 67th      Jared Edeen            74-75=149 (+9)