Sands: Texas Tech Off to Good Start
May 14, 2015 | Men's Golf
Texas Tech head coach Greg Sands said Thursday's first round was simply, "a start."
May 14, 2015
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By Matt Dowdy / Athletics Communications
LUBBOCK, Texas -- As Texas Tech head coach Greg Sands said on Thursday, the Red Raiders didn't win the NCAA Lubbock Regional with their 6-under 278 opening round but they also didn't lose it.
It was simply "a start."
Playing at home on The Rawls Course, Tech took advantage of several early birdies that gave the Red Raiders a share of the lead for portions of the front nine before finishing the day in fourth place just five strokes back of opening-round leader Texas.
"I think the guys are a little bit disappointed, but at the same time I told them `hey it's just a start.'" Sands said. "They aren't handing out trophies right now."
Tech heads into Friday's second round trailing Houston by four strokes for second place and then Duke by just two swings for third overall. The Red Raiders, who command a one-stroke lead over Purdue and California in fifth place, need to finish among the top-five teams in order to advance to the NCAA Championships.
The Red Raiders opened the round strong with Hannes Ronneblad birdying four for the first five holes while Clement Sordet recorded three birdies over the first six as well.
Tech was as high as 8-under during the front nine before a string of bogeys over the final few holes dropped the Red Raiders down to fourth place to end the day.
"I think we had a chance to get over the hump and really get into double-digits today and didn't quite get there," Sands said. "I think we are the first to admit we have to clean up and be more efficient. I told the guys afterwards `hey let's go get our work done and be efficient.'"
Sordet and freshman Wes Artac powered the Red Raiders through a difficult back nine with birdies at both the par-4 11th and the par-5 17th. Artec followed his birdie on No. 11 with another moments later at No. 12 while Sordet drained one of several long birdie putts at No. 13.
Sordet led the Red Raiders with a 4-under 67 card that featured six birdies on the round, leaving the senior tied for seventh overall and two strokes back of individual leader Austin Eoff from Purdue.
"I made some really long putts," Sordet said of his round. "I made three birdies outside of 15 feet, so that was kind of a bonus. I missed some short putts, so I know I can go lower. It'll be fine tomorrow."
Artec overcame a 2-over front nine to finish with a 1-under 70, matching teammate Matias Dominguez in a tie for 21st overall. Dominguez was consistent throughout the round, sinking three birdies to go along with 13 pars.
Ronneblad posted Tech's final score with an even-par 71 that was just a stroke better than Guillermo Pereira, who pared each of the first 17 holes before missing a short putt for par on the 18th.
The Red Raiders will need a similar performance throughout the lineup on Friday when teams will begin to further position themselves up and down the leaderboard.
It's a familiar position for Sands, who has led Tech past the NCAA Regional round six times during his 15 seasons guiding the Red Raiders.
"This is where the tournament starts is on day two and day three," Sands said. "I've been doing it a while and know that this is when everyone is going to feel a little bit more (pressure) and it's going to get tougher. This tournament is just beginning."
MGolf: Dominguez works out of trouble on 18 to save par, finishes the round with a 70 (-1). #WreckEm #NCAAGolf pic.twitter.com/8e2oTakVWD
-- TechGameday (@TechGameday) May 14, 2015
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