Sooners In Control Entering Final Round at Big 12 Championship

Tuesday, April 25

Prairie Dunes CC / Hutchinson, Kan.

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University of Oklahoma

Big 12 Championship

Photo by: Michael Meek

Sooners In Control Entering Final Round at Big 12 Championship

April 25, 2023 | Men's Golf

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By: OU Athletics Communications

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Battling through wind, cold and rain, the Oklahoma men's golf team posted a third-round score of 284 (-4) on Tuesday and will take an 11-shot lead into the final round of the Big 12 Championship.

When teams tee off in Wednesday's final round at the 72-hole championship, four Sooner golfers will be inside the top 10. Oklahoma (1, -2) is the only team under par after three rounds and is looking to win back-to-back conference championships for the first time since 1956-57.

The Sooners teed off in the final group on Tuesday morning and took advantage of the light wind early in the day. OU's four counting scores went a combined 7-under par on the front nine, highlighted by eagles from Drew Goodman (5, -1) and Patrick Welch (T3, -2). However, as Oklahoma made the turn, conditions deteriorated as winds picked up. The Crimson and Cream managed just three birdies over the final nine holes as a four-over back nine saw OU's advantage fall from 15 shots to 11.

"We're not happy with how we finished today," Hybl added. "We gave some shots away and at a course like Prairie Dunes, you just can't do that. We'll be ready for tomorrow and ready to attack the golf course."

Welch leads the way at the 54-hole mark as the three-time All-America honoree carded an even-par 70 on Tuesday to grab a share of third. Goodman birdied the 18th hole to get in with a 72 in round three as he holds fifth place. Freshman Jase Summy is solo sixth at 1-over for the week after a 70 (E) in the third round. Ben Lorenz struggled on the back nine but still shares eighth at 3-over for the week after a 75 today. Jake Holbrook was inserted into the lineup on Tuesday morning and fired a 2-over 72, but is not eligible to appear on the leaderboard or All-Tournament team.

The Sooners pace the field in par-3 scoring (3.10, +6) and birdies (50) for the week. The 11-shot lead puts Oklahoma in a prime position to win its 19th conference championship and fourth of the Big 12 era, including the third under Hybl. At 2-under par through 54 holes, OU is trying to notch the first under-par 72-hole score in program history as the team's 1,130 (+10) in 2021 at Prairie Dunes is the program record for a 72-hole event which are typically held in the postseason.

Oklahoma and Texas Tech (2, +9) are paired in Wednesday's final round as the Red Raiders are led by reigning Big 12 individual champion Ludvig Aberg, who holds a 7-shot lead entering Wednesday. Texas Tech trails the Sooners by 11 shots, third-place Texas is 14 strokes back and Oklahoma State, in fourth, is 18 shots behind.

The Sooners go off of the first hole at 9:30 a.m. CT on Wednesday. Live scoring will be available via Golfstat, and for the first time, fans can enjoy a live broadcast of the championship round as ESPN+ will go live at 10:30 a.m. CT.