Cryer Wins in Playoff Holes to Claim Victory at Texas Intercollegiate
WESTWORTH VILLAGE, Texas – On Monday and Tuesday, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma men's golf team fourth-place finish at the Texas Intercollegiate, hosted by Texas Wesleyan University. The tournament was highlighted by Conner Cryer's incredible championship performance. After 54 holes, there was a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard, resulting in two playoff holes and USAO's Cryer came away with arguably the most impressive win in program history.
The tournament was competed at Hawks Creek Golf Course in Westworth Village, Texas, and the Drovers completed with a three-round score of 873 (289, 291, 293). The course featured a 6,898-yard, par 72 layout. The tournament featured a strong field, with three teams ranked or receiving votes in the latest NAIA Men's Golf Coaches' Top 25 poll (#3 Texas Wesleyan, #7 Houston-Victoria, RV USAO).
Conner Cryer concluded the tournament six strokes under par after firing an incredible 66 in the first round, followed by a 70 in the second round on Monday. Cryer fired a 74 in Tuesday's final round to capture his first championship of the season. Furthermore, the victory is the third of Cryer's collegiate career, making him the winningest player in program history, surpassing former teammates Caleb Smith and Gage Gibson. The junior from Tipton, Oklahoma has emerged victorious in three of his last seven tournaments for USAO.
Jaeden Ellis cracked the top 20 as he placed in 19th with a three-round total of 221 (75, 74, 72). Luca Gisler concluded in a tie for 23rd with a 223 (77, 74, 72). Cooper Hardison closely followed in 27th with a 224 (75, 74, 75). Tucker McDonald and Parker Pogue finished in a tie for 28th with identical scores of 226.
Tate Trotter finished in 30th with a 227 (78, 78, 71), followed by Luke O'Dell in 45th with a 247 (90, 78, 79).
PREVIOUS USAO MEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS (6)
Central Christian Invitational – Sept. 30, 2020
Tabor College Fall Invite – Oct. 13, 2020
Battle at Winter Creek – Oct. 20, 2020
Hastings College Spring Invite – April 13, 2022
Top of Texas Invitational – March 12, 2024
CBC Invitational – March 19, 2024
INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (10)
Caleb Nichols - Central Christian Invitational – Sept. 30, 2020
Gage Gibson – Tabor College Fall Invite – Oct. 13, 2020
Gage Gibson – Battle at Winter Creek – Oct. 20, 2020
Caleb Smith – College of the Ozarks Spring Invitational – March 16, 2021
Caleb Smith – Hastings College Spring Invite – April 13, 2022
Grant Murphey – Battle at Winter Creek – Oct. 5, 2022
Jax Brewer – Crestview Invitational – Sept. 19, 2023
Conner Cryer – Top of Texas Invitational – March 12, 2024
Conner Cryer – CBC Invitational – March 19, 2024
Conner Cryer – Texas Intercollegiate – September 10, 2024
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Drovers will return to the course on September 16-17 as they compete at the Northwest Iowa Invitational. The tournament will be hosted at Willow Creek Golf Course in Le Mars, Iowa.
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