Sooners Dominant on Opening Day at Big 12 Championship

Monday, April 24

Prairie Dunes CC / Hutchinson, Kan.

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University of Oklahoma

Big 12 Championship

Sooners Dominant on Opening Day at Big 12 Championship

April 24, 2023 | Men's Golf

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By: OU Athletics Communications

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – After one of the most dominant days in tournament history, the Oklahoma men's golf team is the only team under par and holds a 12-shot lead over the field at the halfway point of the Big 12 Championship.

The 10th-ranked Sooners (1, -6), who are looking to repeat as conference champions for the first time since 1956-57, fired rounds of 275 (-5) and 279 (-1) on Monday at Prairie Dunes Country Club to create distance on the leaderboard. Four OU golfers sit inside the top six in the individual race, highlighted by sophomore Drew Goodman, who is in solo third at the three-day, 72-hole event.

"There's no doubt that today was a really good day for us," head coach Ryan Hybl said. "We know there is a long way to go this week, but we also know there is no limit to what this group can do if we play quality golf. Prairie Dunes is a demanding test every time you go out, and tomorrow's going to be no different."

Oklahoma opened the day with the third-lowest Sooner round at Prairie Dunes ever, carding a 5-under 275 at the par-70 course that's hosted the Big 12 Championship 13 times before 2023. The 275 trailed only 2021's final round and 2002's second round, both of which the Sooners fired 274 (-6). Steady rounds of 67 (-3) from Goodman and 68 (-2) from Ben Lorenz paved the way for Hybl's team early on. Patrick Welch birdied the 18th, and true freshman Jase Summy saved par on the final hole of the morning wave as the two signed for even-par 70s. Stephen Campbell Jr. struggled early in the round but was strong on the back nine, tallying eight pars before a birdie on the 18th to collect a 74.

Tough conditions highlighted the afternoon round as the wind picked up at the historic course, forcing scores higher. Welch paced the team with a 68 (-2) anchored by three straight birdies on Nos. 15-17 to move back into the top five. Goodman and Lorenz matched with even 70s to secure top-five positions. After starting on No. 10, Summy found trouble on the 17th, where he triple-bogeyed, but a near-perfect 31 on the way in featured four birdies and no bogeys as the freshman continued his stellar play. The Sooners, who entered the second round with an 11-stroke lead, saw their advantage fall to just four strokes after Summy's triple, but a counting 6-under team card on the way in grew the lead again as the field couldn't keep pace.

Entering Tuesday's third round, Goodman (3, -3) sits six back of leader Jonas Baumgartner (Okla. State). Lorenz and Welch share fourth at the 36-hole mark as both sit at 2-under par. Summy owns a piece of sixth at 1 over. Campbell Jr. rounded out the OU contingent and shares 42nd.

The Sooners ranked first or second among all teams in par-3, 4 and 5 scoring and were 10 strokes better than anyone else on par-4 holes Monday. The team's 104 pars and 37 birdies paced the league.

Oklahoma is slated to tee off on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. CT with Oklahoma State (2, +6).

Live scoring for the remainder of the tournament can be found on Golfstat. In addition, Wednesday's final round of the championship will be streamed live on ESPN+.