Chattanooga Mocs sophomore Paul Conroy shot 2-over 74 to open the NCAA Norman Regionals. He went out in 36 and came home in 38 for his total at Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club. His opening tally is tied for 39th overall.
He started with a birdie on one and then just missed two more before bogeys at four, five and seven. He quickly righted the ship with three birdies in a row to head to the 11th tee at 1 under.
Missed birdie putts and good par saves mixed until bogey at the par 3 15.
He was just off the fairway on 17 trying to decide on either a 5 or 6 iron. He discussed it with Coach Colette Murray before deciding seven was the play. He caught a flyer from 200 yards out and flew it over the pin landing behind the green. His short game let him down leading to double bogey and his final score of 74.
“I would have liked to play better, but it was still a great experience,” Conroy shared when asked about how his first NCAA postseason round went. “That was just way different than any other tournament I’ve played before over here. I putted really well, but I didn’t drive it as well I normally do. That led to a few bogeys. You don’t want to be in the wrong spots trying to get up and down on firm greens. I didn’t really manage very well around the course today.
“I’m just looking forward to getting out there again and try to make up some shots I gave away there at the end. Just excited to get out there and compete.”
No. 1 Oklahoma leads the event at 277. That’s one clear of South Carolina in second. The Gamecocks’ Gene Ziegler and Auburn’s J.M. Butler top the player leaderboard with 66 (-6). The low individual on a non-advancing team at this juncture is Baylor’s Johnny Keefer at 69 (-3).
Conroy moves back a time slot at 11:12 a.m., Eastern time leading off No. 1 with Kent State's Bryce Reed and fellow individual Mac McClear from Iowa. Live scoring and pairings links are above along with detailed results package.