Creswell, Ore. (March 25, 2019) --  A terrific first day by the Wyoming men's golf team has the Cowboys in fifth place in the field of 16 teams at the Oregon Duck Invitational after the first 36 holes of play.  Wyoming is tied with Seattle University at 588 (+12).  Cowboys John Murdock and Kirby Coe-Kirkham are tied for sixth at 144 (Even) among the 87 collegiate golfers competing in this week's tournament.
     
Murdock and Coe-Kirkham shot identical opening rounds of 69 (-3) which gave them the tournament lead at the end of the first 18 holes.  They each shot rounds of 75 (+3) in the afternoon.  Coe-Kirkham's three-under par round (69) was the best individual round of his college career.  They will both enter Tuesday's final round only four strokes behind tournament leader Cameron Kaneko of Hawai'i, who posted a 36-hole total of 140 (-4).
     
The Cowboys' 588 (+12) team total is 11 strokes behind host Oregon and Oregon State, who are tied at 577 (+1) through 36 holes.  Nevada sits in third place at 580 (+4), and Boise State is in fourth place at 585 (+9).    
     
"It was a solid first day for us.  I'm very proud of the way the guys played," said Joe Jensen, UW Director of Golf.  "John (Murdock), our one senior, and Kirby (Coe-Kirkham) had really good days.  They're tied for sixth place.  I'm really pleased with the way Kirby and another one of our freshmen, Tyler Severin, competed today.  It is unique to be playing with three freshmen and be in this position entering tomorrow where we are in the Top 5.
     
"This is a really difficult golf course, and the conditions were tough.  It rained all day, but was a really difficult finish -- an absolute downpour the last five or six holes. 
     
"We have to bring the same confidence and effort tomorrow.  It is a good field of competitive teams, so we can't let down."
     
Wyoming freshman Severin is tied for 29th at 148 (+4).  Cowboy junior Dan Starzinski is tied for 56th at 153 (+9), and UW's third freshman, Jimmy Dales is tied for 64th at 154 (+10).
     
The Oregon Duck Invitational is being played on the Emerald Valley Golf Club in Creswell, Ore.  Emerald Valley plays to a par of 72 and measures 7,145 yards.
 
Team Standings
1.   Oregon State                      292-285=577 (+1)
      Oregon                               286-291=577 (+1)
3.   Nevada                                 281 299=580 (+4)
4.   Boise State                          296 289=585 (+9)
5.   Wyoming                           287 301=588 (+12)
      Seattle                                296 292=588 (+12)
7.   San Francisco                      300 293=593 (+17)
      San Jose State                     295 298=593 (+17)
9.   San Diego State                   295 301=596 (+20)
10. Denver                                301 300=601 (+25)
      Oral Roberts                        297 304=601 (+25)
12. Hawaii                                295 309=604 (+28)
13. Washington State                303 303=606 (+30)
14. Long Beach State                 301 306=607 (+31)
15. Pacific                                 303 309=612 (+36)
16. Loyola Marymount              305 309=614 (+38)
 
Wyoming Cowboys' Individual Standings
T6   John Murdock                     69-75=144 (Even)
T6   Kirby Coe-Kirkham               69-75=144 (Even)
T29 Tyler Severin                       75-73=148 (+4)
T56 Dan Starzinski                     75-78=153 (+9)
T64 Jimmy Dales                        74-80=154 (+10)