PALM HARBOR, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) -- The UCF men's golf team didn't have its best day Sunday. But despite not playing to their potentialt, the Knights are just two strokes off the lead after one round at the American Athletic Conference Championship, being held at the Innisbrook Resort Copperhead Course.
The Knights opened play in The American Championship with a 5-over round of 289 and currently sit in third place. USF holds the lead after 18 holes at 287 (+3), while Houston is second at 288 (+4). Among UCF's four golfers who counted toward the team score Sunday, they amassed 13 bogeys, one double bogey and 10 birdies.
"I feel we had a decent day on the course, while we were not at our best today," UCF head coach Bryce Wallor said. "As a team, we did a great job of staying focused through our ups and downs over all 18 holes. Our Par 3 and Par 5 scoring was strong today. We simply need to execute a few shots a bit better tomorrow to keep in contention."
Junior Manuel Elvira had a solid first round. He accounted for four of the aforementioned birdies and just two of the bogeys. He finished the first round 2-under with a score of 69. If it wasn't for a bogey on the final hole of the day, he could have been in the lead after 18 holes. As it stands, he is just one stroke off the lead, currently held by Houston's Papito Gonzalez, who carded a 68 (-3) Sunday.
"Manuel led the team today with a great round of two-under par," Wallor said. "He continues to improve in ibg situations week after week."
Sophomore Donnie Tropser and junior Juuso Kahlos were both +2 for the day, turning in identical scores of 73. Trosper had an up-and-down front nine, but calmed down after the turn. He birdied No. 10 and turned in eight straight pars to finish the round. Kahlos recorded two bogeys on the front. On the back nine, he managed one birdie and one bogey. The duo of Trosper and Kahlos are currently tied for 11th place.
Sophomore Kyler Tate is tied for 23rd at +3. Tate tallied three birdies and three bogeys on the first nine holes and was even at the turn. Three back-side bogeys accounted for his final total of 74.
Freshman Bobby Bai's score was the non-counting score for Sunday. He struggled down the stretch. He was 2-over after 15 holes. But he took a double bogey on No. 16 and a triple bogey on the final hole of the day. He finished with a 76 (+5) and is currenlty tied for 38th.
The Knights will take the course again Monday morning at 8:50 a.m. for the second round. The third and final round is slated for Tuesday. Live scoring is available by clicking the link above.
