Men’s Golf Climbs to Fifth After Second Round of WAC Championship

PAYSON, Ariz. – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men’s golf team climbed to fifth place after a 13-stroke improvement in the second round of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Championship on Saturday at The Golf Club at Chaparral Pines Golf Course.

UTRGV, who posted a first round 302, posted the second lowest round of the day with a one-over 289. UTRGV’s second round gives them a two-round total of 591 and puts them just five strokes off the lead held by Tarleton State, who has a two-round total of 586.

Senior Javier Neira Garcia leads UTRGV with a two-round total of 145 after turning in an even par 72. Garcia sits tied for seventh place and is five shots off the lead held by UT Arlington’s Daniel Cronje.

Freshman McAllen Memorial alum Esteban Gonzalez improved by six strokes in the second round with a one-under par 71. Gonzalez is tied for 13th with a two-round total of 148. Freshman Emilio Gil Leyva shaved off four strokes from his first round as he posted an even par 72. Gil Leyva is tied with Gonzalez for 13th with a two-round total of 148.

Junior Juan Luis de Bethencourt Duque is tied for 25th with a two-round total of 150 after posting a second round 74, improving by two strokes from his first round. Senior Leonardo Novella subbed in for the second round and posted a round of 76.

The Vaqueros will be back on the course for the final round of the WAC Championship on Sunday with the first group teeing off at 11 a.m.

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