After a bit of a mediocre morning, the Oregon men’s golf team pulled it together Monday to take over second place from Fresno State at the 56th annual Western Intercollegiate.
The Ducks, the defending champs at the Western Intercollegiate, are competing among a tough 15-team field. Oregon shot an opening round 291 and was in seventh place after 18 holes. Washington leads the field with 546, giving them a 23 shot lead over Oregon at 569.
Oregon head coach Steve Nosler said the Huskies are practically untouchable at this point.
“A second place finish for us would be great,” Nosler said. “We came out in real great shape.”
Several Oregon individuals came through in the second round and fired off some great second rounds. Senior Brandon Harnden shot his heart out for a five-under par 65, the lowest score of his career (his previous career-high was 69), to put him in a tie for sixth at 138.
Senior Aaron Byers and junior John Ellis led the way for the Ducks, shooting 140 and 147 on the par-70 course after 36 holes. Byers is in a tie for ninth and Ellis is tied for 38th.
Last year Oregon had great success at the tournament, winning by 17 strokes over Washington. Junior John Ellis and senior Chris Carnahan tied for third place with final scores of 210 to lead Oregon. Although the tables have turned this year around, the Ducks look to go out and do all they can.
The Ducks will play the final round today.
“We are coming up and going to do the best we can,” Nosler said.