Baldwin In The Lead At Shangri-La

Central Oklahoma Is Tied Fort Third After Two Rounds Monday

MONKEY ISLAND, Okla. – Central Oklahoma's Bennett Baldwin rode a birdie barrage to the top of the individual standings on the first day of the Showdown at Shangri-La Monday.

Baldwin carded nine birdies and an eagle in firing rounds of 65-68 for a sensational nine-under-par 133 total on the 6,955-yard, par-71 Heritage and Legends course at Shangri-La Country Club.

That's good for a two-shot lead in the individual race and has the Bronchos tied for third in a tight team race headed to Tuesday's final round, which is set for a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

UCO followed a morning 281 with an afternoon 283 for a four-under 564 total and trails leader Rogers State by just two shots. Harding is second in the 18-team field at 563, with the Bronchos and Central Missouri tied for third and Northeastern State fifth at 567.

"Bennett played absolutely lights out today," head coach Derrick Thompson said. "He made a lot of great shots and really had it going. It's going to be fun final round with so many teams in the hunt. We will have to play well, but I like our chances and we're excited about it."

Baldwin's brilliant day led the way, giving him a two-stroke advantage over RSU's Thomas Barnes Grimes headed to the final round. Jordan Wilson had a first-round hole-in-one while shooting 68-73 and is tied for ninth at two-under 140, while Dylan Henderson shot 76-70, Baylor Bostick 73-73 and Kyle Hickey 75-76.

Baldwin started play on No. 10 and was even par through his first four holes before kick-starting his round with an eagle on the par-4 14th. He followed with four pars, then reeled off four birdies in his last nine holes to finish off the career-low 65.

The junior opened the afternoon round with a birdie on the par-5 10th, followed with four pars and then birdied the par-4 15th and par-4 18th to get to three-under. Baldwin dropped a shot on No. 3, but got that back with a birdie on the par-5 fourth and closed with five consecutive pars.

Wilson also started on the 10th hole, followed with four pars and then made back-to-back birdies before ripping off five more pars. A double bogey on No. 3 dropped the junior back to even-par for the round, but he birdied the par-4 seventh and then aced the 196-yard par-3 eighth in carding an opening 68.

The junior made four straight pars to open the second round, then birdied the par-4 14th and followed with six more pars. Wilson dropped back to even with a bogey on No. 3, had another bogey on No. 8 and finished with a par of his afternoon 72.

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Players Mentioned

Bennett Baldwin: Junior

Dylan Henderson: Junior

Kyle Hickey: Senior

Baylor Bostick: 6' 4"; Freshman

Jordan Wilson: 5' 8"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Bennett Baldwin
: Junior

Dylan Henderson
: Junior

Kyle Hickey
: Senior

Baylor Bostick
: 6' 4"; Freshman

Jordan Wilson
: 5' 8"; Junior