Gilbert Tied for 20th After First Round of NCAA Regional

May 16, 2013

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Kansas senior Chris Gilbert carded a pair of double bogeys over the first eight holes but used a 20-foot birdie putt on No. 9 to jump start his round at the turn. Gilbert played 1-under on the back side to turn in an opening round 73 (+1) and was tied for 20th after 18 holes of NCAA Regional play at Blessings Golf Club Thursday.

Gilbert, who played a combined 5-over on the five, par-three holes of the par-72, 7,251-yard course, needed extra strokes on holes No. 5 and No. 8, but seemed to rally after chipping out of the green side bunker on No. 9 and made a 20-foot putt for birdie. Gilbert shot even par over the next five holes before adding a stroke at par-3, No. 15, then eagled No. 16 and closed 1-over for the round.

“He finished strong,” Kansas head coach Jamie Bermel said. “He was three over and he made a good putt for birdie on nine. I think that kind of got his mind back in the game a little bit. He played real well on the back, he just didn’t get much out of it.

Illinois’ Charlie Danielson shot a 7-under 65 to lead the field and helped the Fighting Illini top the team leaderboard at 6-under 282. Texas (285), Oklahoma State (286), Kent State (288) and Arkansas (290) followed and occupied the advancing positions with two rounds to play.

Stephen F. Austin’s Michell McLeroy shot a 3-under 69 and was tied for fifth as the tournament’s top player not on a projected qualifying team after one round – a spot Gilbert must be in after 54 holes to advance to the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at the Capital City Club in Atlanta (May 28-30 – stroke play).

Gilbert is attempting to become the first Kansas golfer to qualify for the NCAA Championship as an individual since Andy Stewart, who tied for 53rd at the NCAA finals in 2001. He will tee off Friday morning in the second-to-last group at 10:10 a.m., along with Indiana’s Corey Ziedonis and Alabama State’s Branson Ferrier.

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