BOULDER City, Nev.—High winds and constant rain played a key role in Saturday's second round of the Big Sky Golf Championship. Idaho and Sacramento State, the top two teams from day one, played through the day's fiercest conditions.
Idaho's first group teed off at 7 a.m. to start the round. Play was suspended 58 minutes into the round, with both the Vandals and the Hornets out on the course. The Vandals ended the round with the day's second-lowest total, a one-over 289. The Silver and Gold sit four strokes behind Sacramento State, who lead the championship at nine-under (282) for the tournament.
“Those first three holes were probably the hardest downpour we have played in all season,” head coach David Nuhn explained. “I am really proud of how the guys fought, having to regroup and refocus following the delay.
“We practice in bad weather. It is something we prepare for. I was not surprised that we were able to get the job done.”
Daniel Sutton tied for day's lowest round. The sophomore finished the final three holes at three-under, turning in three consecutive birdies to card a 69. Sutton moved up three spots on the day into a tie for third on the individual leaderboard, two shots behind the leaders with a two-round 140 (-3).
The Vandals chipped away at the Sac State lead along the back-nine. The Hornets got out to a nine-stroke advantage during the round. The Vandals' scoring improved as the conditions let up. Idaho played a combined five-under after making the turn.
“All five guys played eight-under on the final four holes,” Nuhn noted. “I think some other teams might have let some shots slip at the end. For us to have the four counting scores finish seven-under is a huge confidence builder. We could have easily been seven, eight or nine-strokes back. I think we feel like we are right where we need to be.”
Ryan Porch and Rylee Iacolucci both went one-under on the final nine to finish the round at an even 72. Porch came through in the clutch with an eagle on the 16th hole, turning in the only two-under score score on the 16th for the championship. Both Vandals remained in the top-10 on the leaderboard. Iacolucci sits tied for fifth at three-under. Porch finds himself tied for seventh at two-under.
Jacob Scarrow fought through mid-round back injury to shoot even on the back. He scored a 76 for the Vandals and sits tied for 18th heading into Sundays final round.
Binghampton turned in the lowest round of the day with a one-under 287, moving up two spots into sixth. Hartford trails the Vandals at two-under (578). Northern Colorado (+5) and Weber State (+10) round out the top-10.
Sacramento State's Taylor Knoll and Hartford's Evan Russell lead the field tied at five-under, totaling 139 after the two rounds. 13 players remain even or better heading into Sunday.
Stay up to date with the Big Sky Championship by following live on Golfstat.com. For all Idaho men's golf updates follow @Vandalmensgolf on twitter and on GoVandals.com
