EDMOND, Okla. – Facing a punishing championship layout and biting Oklahoma winds, the No. 30 Harding men's golf team battled to a sixth-place tie after the opening round of the Oak Tree Invitational.
The Bisons carded a team total of 21-over 305 on the par-70 East Course at Oak Tree Country Club, a score that stood up well on a day where the elements dictated the pace of play. Harding currently sits alongside No. 24 UT Permian Basin, just two strokes back of a top-three position in the 18-team field. No. 19 West Texas A&M leads the tournament at 7-over par.
Grinding Through the Cold
The story of the day was the relentless weather conditions. With temperatures plunging into the low 40s and gusty winds sweeping across the 7,102-yard course, the field average ballooned to a staggering 78.02.
Monday's weather conditions forced tournament officials to shorten the event from 54 to 36 holes.
Arzu Paces the Bisons
Junior Jose Arzu led Harding on Monday, carding a 3-over 73 to finish the day in 10th place individually. Arzu remained steady through the front nine and utilized his signature accuracy to navigate Oak Tree's famously difficult greens.
Freshman William Pulley also provided a vital score for the Bisons, finishing tied for 21st with a 5-over 75.
Other Harding scores included:
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Jose Manuel Peralta: Tied for 30th with a 6-over 76.
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Dennis Staykov: Tied for 44th with a 7-over 77.
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Austin Bibb: Tied for 70th with a 9-over 79.
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Conner Geist (Ind.): Tied for 30th with a 6-over 76.
Final Round
The Bisons will return to the course Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m. for the final round. With only 14 strokes separating the top 10 teams, Harding remains in a prime position to secure another top-five finish against a field that features six teams ranked in the national top 50.
