Bradley University Athletics

Bushong And Braves Out Front At MVC Championship

Men's Golf 4/23/2018 7:54:00 PM

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Bradley men's golf has the top three individuals, paced by junior Drake Bushong at one-over par 145, and the Braves own a 19-shot lead on the field after Monday's opening two rounds of the 2018 Missouri Valley Conference Men's Golf Championship.

Play at the par-72 Dalhousie Country Club got underway with rain showers in the morning and featured periodic showers throughout Monday's action. The Braves weren't deterred by the weather, however, and had a six-shot lead after an opening round 298. Bradley followed it up with a one-over par 289 in the second round to stretch the advantage to 19 shots.

Bradley's second round 289 was the team's lowest round at a Valley Championship in program history, surpassing a 291 at the 2014 MVC Championship at the TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. The Braves finished the day at 11-over par 587 and hold a 19-shot advantage on pre-championship favorite Illinois State and Southern Illinois, which closed Monday tied for second at 606.

After a first-round 76, Bushong had a bogey free round in the afternoon as he carded the low round of the day with a three-under 69. Bushong birdied two of his final three holes to fire his season-best round 69 and has a one-shot lead at one-over par 145 as he looks for his fourth career medalist title.

Junior Michael Mounce carded 28 pars on the opening day and was the individual leader following a first-round 72. He turned in a second-round 74 and sits one shot back of Bushong in second at two-over 146.

Also in contention for medalist honors is senior Ethan Brue, who is two shots off the lead at three-over par 147. Brue had 14 pars and a birdie during an opening round 74 and made up for four second-round bogies with three birdies during a 73 to wrap up the day.

Fellow senior Zach Jewell rebounded from a first-round 79 to match Brue's second round 73 and is one shot out of the top 10 in a tie for 12^th at 152.

Matthew Specht helped highlight the first round with an eagle on the par-5, 560-yard 15^th during an opening-round 76. He is one shot behind Jewell and two out of the top 10 at 153, posting a 77 in the afternoon.

The final round of the 2018 MVC Men's Golf Championship gets underway Tuesday with tee times beginning at 8 a.m.

Print Friendly Version