CINCINNATI, Ohio – BYU men's golf sits in fifth place after posting an even-par overall score in the first two rounds of the Bearcat Invitational at Coldstream Country Club in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Monday.
The Cougars carded rounds of 281 and 287 to begin the 2023-24 fall season and will look to move up the leaderboard in the final round on Tuesday. Cincinnati holds the lead at 12-under-par, with Chattanooga at nine-under, Louisville at five-under, and Middle Tennesee State at four-under.
"Coldstream is a difficult golf course with a major championship feel," said Todd Miller, BYU director of golf. "I thought our whole team handled the course well. We made 33 birdies over two rounds but just didn't hold onto them. We can give ourselves a chance to win, but we will have to eliminate doubles tomorrow."
Freshman Peter Kim fired off a 68, three-under-par, in his first collegiate round of golf in the morning, and a two-over 73 to finish the day in the afternoon. Cooper Jones, also a freshman, is in a tie for 22nd after carding rounds of 72 and 70 to finish even-par.
"I am excited about the play from our freshman," Miller said. "They look poised in their first collegiate event, and that doesn't always happen. It gives me confidence in our ability to compete as the season progresses."
Joining Kim in a tie for 13th, junior Zac Jones also scored rounds of 68 and 73 to finish one-under-par. Seniors Keanu Akina (75-71–146; +4) and Cole Ponich (73-76–149; +7) rounded out the squad for BYU.
The Cougars will tee it up in the final round of the Bearcat Invitational tomorrow, with a 9 a.m. EDT shotgun start with Middle Tennessee State and Nebraska.