Spencer’s career day springs Kansas into top-three
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MADISON, Wis. – Sophomore Andy Spencer’s career-best round 65 was the storyline at day two of the Badger Invitational, as Kansas was able to assert itself into the top three of the field. Heading into the final day, the Jayhawks find themselves two strokes out of second place at the University Ridge Golf Course.
“Andy’s round was special,” said head coach Jamie Bermel. “He had total control of the ball (Monday) and played well the entire day.”
Spencer, who started the day in a tie for 10th, exploded out of the gate, birdying three of his first four holes. He outplayed the entire field at 7-under-par to jump nine places into a two-way tie for first with Texas A&M’s Chandler Phillips. Spencer carded eight birdies, including five on his front nine, and will look for his first collegiate individual title Tuesday.
Spencer wasn’t the only Jayhawk that had success Monday, as senior Daniel Sutton rebounded from his two-over performance to score a 3-under, 69. After playing even par on his front nine, Sutton birdied three of his last five holes and sits in a tie for 18th with a 1-under for the event.
“Daniel finished really well,” added Bermel. “He helped the team immensely (Monday).”
Another Jayhawk that drew praise from Bermel was junior Jake Scarrow.
“I’m extremely proud of Jake,” said Bermel. “He had a triple (bogey) on the first hole, then had a horrible lip out on his birdie putt on the second hole and eventually fought his way back to even par.”
His even-par finish was in large part due to the turnaround that started at the fifth hole. Scarrow’s perseverance showed as his triple bogey was negated by four birdies and three pars over the span of seven-consecutive holes. Scarrow enters the final day at 1-over for the event and tied for 25th.
Junior Charlie Hillier also ended the second round tied for 25th, after posting a 2-over for the day. The front nine proved to be challenging for Hillier, even with his ability to tally a birdie on both of the par-5’s. Despite fluctuating numbers on the front, his back-nine featured consistent play, as he recorded a par on all nine holes.
Rounding out the Jayhawks’ scorecard was senior Daniel Hudson, who had a rough stretch of bogey golf to start his back nine and was never able to recover. Hudson enters the final round tied for 43rd with a 149.
The Jayhawks’ 8-under finish was the second-best round on the day and moved the Jayhawks into a top-three position. KU stands just two strokes behind Marquette and four strokes ahead of Notre Dame.
Tuesday’s action is a shotgun start beginning at 9:30 a.m., with live scoring available at birdiefire.com.
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