University of Oklahoma Athletics

OU Ties for Third at Erin Hills

OU Continues Spring Slate in Puerto Rico

February 22, 2014 | Men's Golf

NORMAN, Okla. -- Coming off a spring-opening victory, the 13th-ranked Oklahoma men's golf team looks to continue its momentum at the three-day, 54-hole Puerto Rico Classic in Rio Grande, P.R. The event, hosted by Purdue University, is slated for Feb. 23-25 (Sunday-Tuesday).

The Sooners claimed their second straight UTSA/Oak Hills Invitational title with a three-round 876 (+24) in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 10-11. Senior Michael Schoolcraft matched a career best with a third-place showing after firing a 2-over 215. The win was OU's second of the season and its sixth under head coach Ryan Hybl.

The Puerto Rico Classic features a competitive field, with 11 of the 15 teams ranked in the top 50 of the latest Golfweek/Sagarin poll, including five that are within the top 15.

“I hope we can just rise up to the occasion,” Hybl said. “Last year, we finished second down there to Alabama. It was probably the best tournament our guys have played since I've been here. I am hoping we can get down there, get the same feeling and be able to compete each day to give ourselves an opportunity to win the golf tournament.”

OU's lineup will include senior Michael Schoolcraft, juniors Michael Gellerman and Charlie Saxon, sophomore Beau Titsworth and freshman Max McGreevy. Senior Eduardo Castiello will participate as an individual.

THE FIELD (GOLFWEEK RANKINGS IN PARENTESES)
Alabama (1)
Georgia Tech (4)
Georgia (6)
Oklahoma (13)
Virginia Tech (14)
Clemson (31)
SMU (32)
Northwestern (33)
Purdue (43)
North Carolina (48)
Missouri (49)
ETSU
Michigan
North Carolina State
UNCG

OU LINEUP
1. Michael Gellerman, Junior:
Took a share of fifth place, a career best, with a 4-over 217 at UTSA/Oak Hills Invitational … Claimed a share of sixth place at Erin Hills Intercollegiate with a 2-under 214 … Has competed in 25 events in his career … Has recorded two career top-5 finishes, six top-10 finishes and 13 top-20 finishes.

2. Michael Schoolcraft, Senior: Matched his career-best finish with a third-place showing at UTSA/Oak Hills Invitational with a 2-over 215 … Tied for 11th place at Jack Nicklaus Invitational with a 5-over-par 218 … Has competed in 35 events as a Sooner … Finished last season with a 72.84 (+1.39) scoring average, second best on team.

3. Beau Titsworth, Sophomore: Finished in a career-best tie for fifth place with a 217 (+4) competing as an individual at UTSA/Oak Hills Invitational … Placed 10th at Golfweek Conference Challenge with a 1-under 215 … Competed in all 13 of OU's team tournaments as a freshman … Has recorded nine career top-20 finishes.

4. Max McGreevy, Freshman: Earned Big 12 Men's Golfer of the Month honors for September after being highest finisher for Sooners in first two tournaments … Led the Sooners at the Golfweek Conference Challenge with a three-round 213 (-3) and fifth place finish in his first collegiate tournament … Won Oklahoma 6A Championship in 2012 and 2013.

5. Charlie Saxon, Junior: Tied for 21st place with an 11-over 224 at UTSA/Oak Hills Invitational … Claimed a share of seventh place at Golfweek Conference Challenge after shooting a 214 (-2) … Finished in a tie for 13th place with a 217 (+1) at Erin Hills Intercollegiate … Competed in six of OU's 13 team tournaments as a sophomore, including last four of season.

Individual: Eduardo Castiello, Senior: Finished in a tie for 21st place with a 224 (+11) at UTSA/Oak Hills Invitational … Competed at the Royal Oaks Intercollegiate in the fall, carding a 5-over 218 and finishing in a tie for 49th place … Has competed in 28 events in his career, recording two top-five, four top-10 and six top-20 finishes.

THE COURSE
The 6,092-yard, par-72 River Course at the Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa serves as the location for the Puerto Rico Classic.

FORMAT
Fifty-four holes will be played over three days, with each round scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. CT with a shotgun start.

WEATHER FORECAST
Sunday:
High of 85 degrees with winds from the east at 15-20 mph. Thirty percent chance of morning showers.

Monday: Partly cloudy with a high of 86 degrees with winds from the east, southeast at 15-20 mph. Twenty percent chance of rain.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy with a high of 85 degrees with winds from the east, southeast at 15-20 mph. Twenty percent chance of rain.

OU'S PUERTO RICO CLASSIC HISTORY
With a three-round 838 (-26), the Sooners finished second at last year's Puerto Rico Classic, seven strokes behind 2013 NCAA Champion Alabama. This marks the fifth straight year OU has participated in the tournament and its 10th appearance overall.

LIVE STATS
Live stats (updated every three holes) will be available at www.golfstatresults.com. Click here for the direct link.

Monday, May 26
Friday, May 26
Wednesday, May 17
Tuesday, May 16