Hillier, Jayhawks take lead into final round

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PEARLAND, Texas – Sophomore Charlie Hillier scattered six birdies over the first round of the 2016 Bayou City Collegiate Classic and opened the second round with his first eagle of the season to put both himself and the Kansas men’s golf team at the top of the leaderboard Monday at the Golfcrest Country Club.
 
As a group, the Jayhawks cruised through the first round with the best round of the day, a 7-under 281.  KU followed that with a six-under 282 in the second round, as all five Jayhawks in the lineup posted scores of par or better. With the two best scoring rounds in the 13-team field, the Jayhawks hold an 11-stroke lead over second-place Rice (-2).
 
“The course is in great shape and the conditions were nearly perfect,” head coach Jamie Bermel said. “We need all five guys playing well in the final round and continue to make a lot of pars (on Tuesday).”
 
Hillier played two solid rounds Monday and appeared to be headed to the clubhouse in sole possession of first, but a bogey on No. 17, only his third bogey of the day, dropped him back into a tie with Lamar’s Mans Berglund. Hillier finished the day with eight birdies and an eagle and sits at 7-under with a 137. 
 
Chase Hanna and Daniel Sutton matched each other round for round, shooting a 70 in the first 18 holes and followed with a 72 in the second. The KU duo is tied for eighth overall at 2-under with a 142 to give the Jayhawks three players in the top-10.
 
Sophomore Jake Scarrow opened the day with a 2-over 74, but rebounded with a 3-under 69 in the second round.  Scarrow had five birdies in the second round and currently sits tied for 15^th at 1-under. Daniel Hudson rounded out the Kansas lineup and overcame a first-round 77 to fire a 1-under 71 during the second round. He is tied for 45^th.
 
“As a team, we were very consistent from top to bottom,” Bermel said. “Charlie was very solid (Monday) and Chase, Dan Sutton and Jake did very well. Dan Hudson struggled in the first round but came back and played well the second round.”
 
Redshirt freshman Alex Moorman is also at the event playing as an individual. Moorman scored an eagle on his second hole of the day, hole No. 1, and finished the first round with a 1-over 73.  He was three-over for the second round and is tied for 45^th with Hudson overall.
 
The event concludes Tuesday with the third and final round. Tee times are slated to start at 8 a.m., with the Jayhawks starting at 9:30 a.m., from hole No. 1.
 
“Personally, it was a tough day for everyone as we lost a great Jayhawk (Monday) in Slade Adams,” Bermel said. “Slade was a very good golfer, but an even better person. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this very difficult time.”
 
After starting his collegiate career at TCU, Adams transferred to Kansas after his sophomore season (1993-94). Upon his arrival to Mt. Oread, Adams led the Jayhawks into the NCAA Championship in 1995 and 1996.
 
Named the 1995 Big Eight Newcomer of the Year, Adams compiled 12 top-10 finishes and 19 top-25 finishes during his two-year stint with the Jayhawks. His career was highlighted by claiming medalist honors at the 1995 Big Eight Championship.
 
Adams served as a graduate assistant coach for KU during the 1996-97 season under his collegiate coach Ross Randall.  The Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School product led the Jayhawks in scoring average both seasons he competed at KU. As a senior, Adams averaged 74.34 per round, while posting a 74.21 average as a junior.
 
In addition to winning the 1995 Big Eight title, the two-time All-Big Eight selection also claimed medalist honors at the 1995 Kansas Invitational. His two individual medalist honors currently ranks tied for sixth in Kansas history.
 
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