No. 24 Utah Golf Downed on Day Two of Big 12 Match Play

HOCKLEY, Texas – The No. 24-ranked University of Utah Men’s Golf team dropped both of its matches on Tuesday during Big 12 Match Play after taking on BYU to conclude pool play and matching up against Oklahoma State in bracket play.
 
“Stand out performances so far by Gabriel [Palacios] and Sergio [Jimenez], who after four rounds are a combined 6-1-1…they have been awesome for the team,” said head coach Garrett Clegg. “The tournament has been a lot of fun and tomorrow we compete against Cincinnati! It should be a great day.”
 

Match play is unlike traditional stroke play that Utah has played all season long. Five golfers from each team compete head-to-head with opponents for the entirety of the course. Both golfers play hole-to-hole and each golfer who posts a lower score on each hole wins the hole. As the round plays on, a certain golfer can lead by more holes than those remaining on the course and earn a victory without playing all 18 holes (3&2, 4&3, 5&4, etc.). In a tighter matchup, a golfer can win by just one stroke that requires play on the final hole (1UP). Whichever team totals the most individual wins in its specific matchup secures a win for the match and earns three points for a victory.
 
Match 1 – #6 Seed BYU
The #3 seeded Utes hit the links for their final pool play session of Big 12 Match Play against in-state rival BYU, dropping three of the five head-to-head matchups to fall short against the Cougars. Brandon Robison recorded the lone Utah victory, defeating Angus Klintworth 3&2. Robison exploded on the back nine, taking the first five consecutive holes to jump out to a wide margin. This lead would be sufficient as it trickled down to three by the end of the matchup. Sergio Jimenez tied with Peter Kim as the last two holes finished level to match the two scoresheets. Davis Johnson, Braxton Watts, and Gabriel Palacios fell to their respective opponents.
 
BYU Wins 3-1-1
C. Ponich def. D. Johnson – 7&5
S. Jimenez tied P. Kim
B. Robison def. A. Klintworth – 3&2
T. Shelley def. B. Watts – 3&2
S. Kwon def. G. Palacios – 1UP
 
Bracket Play – #2 Seed Oklahoma State
Utah was unable to take down Oklahoma State to open up bracket play. Jimenez and Palacios notched the two Utah victories, both in tight matchups. The sophomore held a one-hole lead for much of the course before stretching…