CHANDLER, Ariz. – A late second-round surge by junior Matt McCarty lifted him into a tie for third at 7-under and Santa Clara men's golf sits in fourth-place with a 565 total after 36 holes of the Wyoming Cowboy Classic.
The Broncos matched their lowest score of the spring with a first round 281 and followed with a 284, ending the day seven-shots behind No. 39 UCLA at 11-under.
"Overall it was a pretty good day," head coach Rob Miller said. "Seven strokes isn't a lot and it would be nice to beat the highest ranked team in the field."
McCarty played bogey-free golf in the second round on his way to a 5-under 67. He climbed 14 spots on the leaderboard following his opening 70 to join three other golfers in a tie for third at 7-under 137, just one shot behind co-leaders John Murdock of Wyoming and Cole Madey of UCLA.
"Matt finished strong in both rounds which was crucial for us," Miller said.
The Broncos got a personal-best 67 from Konrad Brauckmeyer in the second-round to aid the team score. The freshman jumped 24 spots on the leaderboard from his opening 72 to join a quartet of golfers in 10th-place at 5-under.
"A good day for Konrad," Miller added. "He's been on the verge of breaking out for some time. His score was critical in the second round."
A late addition to the five-player team, sophomore Jack Avrit opened with a 3-under 69 and ended with a 75 for a share of 40th at even-par 144. Derek Ackerman's second-round 75 dropped him into a tie for 49th at 1-over 145.
Playing as an individual, Zack Kaneshiro matched his personal-best with a first round 68. He ended the day tied for 32nd at 1-under 143.
"It's doable," Miller said of making up the difference in Tuesday's final round. "We just have to putt a little better."
Tuesday's final round is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. PT with a shotgun start. Live scoring updates will be available at Golfstat.com.
Santa Clara Second Round Individual Results
| T3. | Matt McCarty | 70-67 = 137 (-7) |
| T10. | Konrad Brauckmeyer | 72-67 = 139 (-5) |
| T32. | Zack Kaneshiro (I) | 68-75 = 143 (-1) |
| T40. | Jack Avrit | 69-75 = 144 (E) |
| T49. | Derek Ackerman | 70-75 = 145 (+1) |
| T105. | Berk Harvey | 80-75 = 155 (+11) |
(I) competing as an individual
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