MEN'S GOLF

After two rounds on the first day of the Texoma Championship, the Texas A&M University-Commerce men’s golf team is in fifth place out of eight teams after shooting a 36-hole total of 602 (305-297). The Lions are just a stroke out of fourth (Midwestern State-601) and four back from third place (Southwestern Oklahoma State-598).

Sam Houston State leads the field with a 577 (292-285) for a six-stroke lead over Central Oklahoma (583) as the field enters Tuesday’s final round.

As a team, the Lions had eight eagles in the first 36 holes to lead the eight-team field.

A&M-Commerce has a pair of golfers – Blake Worden and Eric Westerman – in the top 10. Worden is tied for third along with two other after shooting a pair of even par rounds for a 36-hole total of 144 (72-72). Worden and Zach Cleland paced the field with 1 under play on par 4 holes. Plus, he was second in the 47-person field with eight birdies on the first 36 holes. Worden trails a pair of SHSU golfers, Scott Kelly and Fergal Rafferty, who both shot a 4-under 140 (71-69). Westerman is tied for 10th with a 148 (75-73) after shooting 25 pars in his round. The 25 pars were the fourth-most in the field.

Lions’ senior Pinkey Hartline is tied for 25th after shooting identical rounds of 77 for a 36-hole total of 154. Junior Danny Jun is tied for 31st with a 156 (81-75) and sophomore Dustin Gideon is 44th with a 165 (83-82). Gideon led the field with two eagles in the first 36 holes.

Tuesday’s final round will be a shotgun start with Gideon being the first golfer to start the day for A&M-Commerce at 8:56 am at the Chickasaw Pointe Golf Club in Kingston, Oklahoma.