Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Shooting 25 strokes worse than the day before usually isn’t how a team pads a lead.
Arkansas men’s golf did it anyway.
The Razorbacks posted a 10-over 298 Sunday in the second round of the Blessings Collegiate Invitational.
That number doesn’t look pretty. It was still eight shots better than any other team managed.
So a 13-stroke edge turned into a 24-stroke cushion with one round to play.
The Hogs sit at 5-under 571 through 36 holes. They’re the only team in the nine-school field under par.
North Texas is second at 19 over after going 21 over Sunday. UNC Greensboro is third at 23 over and Southern Miss is one more back in fourth.
Wind, tough setup push scores up at Blessings
Blessings Golf Club didn’t hand out many favors. A hard course setup and steady wind made sure of that.
The par-72 layout plays 7,991 yards from the men’s tees. On Sunday it felt like every one of them.
The whole field averaged 78.57 for the round.
The five players in Arkansas’ lineup averaged 74.8. Count all nine Razorbacks in the event and it’s 75.22.
That’s nearly four shots a man better than the field average.
Thomas Curry had the Hogs’ low round of the day with a 73.
He’s tied for second at 2-under 142 with teammate Niilo Maki-Petaja.
Both trail Southern Miss’ Benjamin Fernandez by one. Fernandez leads at 3-under 141 even after a 75.
Every Razorback in the lineup sits inside Top 10
The team race looks settled. The individual one doesn’t, because four Arkansas players are within three shots of first.
Lev Grinberg has fourth to himself at 1 under.
Erich Fortlage is even par, good for a share of fifth.
Gerardo Gomez rounds out the lineup at 4 over and tied for 10th. That puts all five in the top 10.
The four Razorbacks playing as individuals aren’t far behind. They’re all between 13th and 22nd.
Cam Smith made the biggest move. His even-par 72 lifted him 18 spots into a tie for 13th with Willie Gordon.
Guus Lafeber is 6 over and tied for 16th. Neo Berg sits six spots back at 8 over.
The Hogs don’t need anything fancy. A 24-shot lead covers a lot of mistakes.
