2020 Tournament - Round One

When: March 1, 2020
What: 2020 Cabo Collegiate
Where: Cove Club (par 71, 6,807 yards) – Cabo Del Sol, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Rapid Recap and Scoring/Pairings: www.golfstat.com

Oklahoma State’s attempt to win its fourth consecutive title at the Cabo Collegiate was challenged strongly by Arizona and Baylor as that trio of teams shares the first-round lead at 6-under-par 278.

Arizona State is fourth and three strokes back at 281, followed by Vanderbilt and Florida State in a tie for fifth at 282.

“I really like what saw,” said Oklahoma State coach Allan Bratton. “Cabo suits us and we’ve had some success the last few years….Our guys took care of their ball. Through 12 or 13 holes, we had five of our six guys who hadn’t made a bogey. I really like that.”

The Cowboys won the title at Querencia Golf Club in its three other appearances in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Brian Stark led Oklahoma State with a 3-under 68 and defending medalist Austin Eckroat shot 2-under 69.

“It was nice to have our freshman Brian Stark be our low score today,” Bratton said. “He’s been getting better and better as the year goes. It’s good for him to lead us and that’s what we need from everybody. Be ready to be the low guy.”

Trevor Werbylo of Arizona posted the day’s best individual round with seven birdies against two bogeys for 5-under-par 66.

“We felt good on the course and had a good day of practice” said Arizona coach Jim Anderson of his team’s second appearance in Cabo. “It’s a beautiful course where hitting the green is important. Trevor did not surprise us. He is very comfortable on courses like this. His game travels us. He carried us.”

Werbylo, a junior from Tucson, agreed with his coach about his comfort level.

“It is similar to our course in Arizona,” said Werbylo. “I think it might be new to some other teams to see desert golf, but I felt comfortable. I liked the course today and yesterday, so I had confidence coming into today.”

Blake Wagoner of Arizona State trails Werbylo by one stroke after a 67

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Quotable

Coach Alan Bratton, Oklahoma State

• “I will praise their preparation in learning a new golf course. They did a good job. That is what we will focus on getting to know it better and hopefully you execute.”
• “We need all five of our guys. Any of our guys can go low. Austin Eckroat did a good job of leading. He was rock solid.”

Coach Jim Anderson, Arizona

• “We dropped a 2-over (par score) so that means that everyone was right there all of the day. I walked with Brad Reeves and he impressed me. He made a 15-footer to save par on the 18th hole to stay at four over (shotgun start) and then got it all the way back to even. When that kind of thing happens, that’s what propels a team. Aidric Chan is a freshman and he shot 2-under so that is part of the recipe for where we are.”

Notable

• Seven of the 15 teams finished the first round under par despite the Cove Club being a new site for the tournament.
• Florida State’s John Pak started his round with a triple bogey seven but righted his game and was five-under par with six birdies and a bogey in his next 17 holes to finish at 1-under 69.

Communications official: Pete Kowalski: cell phone: 908-216-8435; pkowalski1524@gmail.com

Media Services Note

Link to photos: https://clients.dinogomez.com/cabo-collegiate-2020
Links to post-round Q&A videos:
Blake Wagoner, Arizona State (player)
Daulet Tuleubayev (player)
Trevor Werbylo, Arizona (player)
Jim Anderson, Arizona (coach)
Alan Bratton, Oklahoma State

Videos/Photos