Cougars in third after darkness delays second round

PARKER, Colo. — The BYU men’s golf team sits in third place after posting 8-over-par 296 in the opening round of the Paintbrush Invitational on Monday. 

Eight of the Cougars nine rostered players teed it up in the 54-hole event at the Colorado Golf Club. Keanu Akina, David Timmins, Max Brenchley, Carson Lundell and Cole Ponich comprising the team score while Zac Jones, Brock Goyen and Elijah Turner competed individually.

“Colorado Golf Club was really firm and fast today which made it challenging for all the teams,” said BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank. “If we can handle the adversity that comes from playing a fast tricky course and have a few guys step up, we'll give ourselves a chance coming down the stretch tomorrow.”

The Cougars were led by Akina who posted an even-par 72 (T7), followed by Timmins and Brenchley who sit at 2-over par 74 (T21) after the first round. Lundell sits in a tie for 36th at 4-over-par, with Ponich who shot 78 (T53) rounding out the scoring.

“The guys hung in there on a really tricky course today that played firm and fast,” said BYU director of golf Todd Miller. “If we are going to have a chance to win this golf tournament we need do a better job of taking advantage of the par-5s.”

Jones, playing as an individual, was the low scorer for BYU in the opening round with a 4-under 68 in his first action as a Cougar. He leads the tournament through 18 holes. Goyen posted a 5-over 77 in his first round of the season and is in a tie for 43rd. Turner rounded out the scoring for the Cougars with an 84 and sits tied for 75th.

The Cougars (+8) are currently tied for third with Georgia State and North Dakota. They trail Denver (+2) and Colorado State (+5) who are first and second respectively.

The second round began Monday afternoon but was postponed due to darkness and will be finished beginning at 8:45 a.m. MDT on Tuesday. After the conclusion of the second round, the teams will play the final 18-holes to determine the champion of the 54-hole 2021 Paintbrush Invitational.