HUTCHINSON, Kan.   The University of Oklahoma men’s golf team finished Monday morning’s play in a tie for fifth place after the opening round of the Big 12 Championship in Hutchinson, Kan.

The Sooners recorded a first-round team score of 303 (+23) at the par-70, 6,593-yard Prairie Dunes Golf Club as Oklahoma looks to join Oklahoma State and Texas as the only teams in Big 12 history to win back-to-back conference titles. 

OU has found success at Prairie Dunes in recent years, finishing second in 2004, third in 2002 and second in 2001.

Twelfth-ranked Texas A&M leads the team standings after opening with a first-round 5-over-par 285.  A&M’s Robert Gates leads the early chase for medalist honors after carding a 69, the only score under par on the morning.

Ben Blundell and Jesse Schutte led the OU charge in round one, both shooting 75.  The pair head to Monday afternoon’s second round in a tie for 19th. 

Senior J.J. Wood opened with a 6-over-par 76, standing in a tie for 26th.  Junior Phillip Bryan was a stroke back at 7-over and in a tie for 34th.

Rounding out the OU scoring was senior Nick Sheedy who fired a first-round 80 and sits in a tie for 49th.     

Second-round play has commenced as the Sooners are even-par through three holes. Live scoring is available at www.golfstat.com.