Led by Palacios, Robison, Utah Golf Climbs to Fifth at Austin Regional

AUSTIN, Texas - Brandon Robison and Gabriel Palacios both shot 1-under and the University of Utah men's golf team moved up one spot on the team leaderboard into fifth during day two of the NCAA Austin Regional on Tuesday at The University of Texas Golf Club in Austin, Texas.
 
"We did what we have done all spring today," said coach Garrett Clegg. "We fought like crazy and had some really good stretches. I love that we are in a great position going into tomorrow. We have had huge rounds from everyone so far and tomorrow we will need another great effort to stay in the top 5."
 
Palacios and Robison had very different days to end up with the same results, with the former starting his round with three birdies in five holes on his way to a 2-under 34 on the back nine. He had a more difficult time after the turn, but benefited from two more red scores that allowed him to enter the clubhouse with a 70. His round two mark boosted him 12 spots up the leaderboard into a tie for 37th.
 
Robison was steadier on Tuesday, racking up 15 pars while knocking 10 strokes off his opening round score. After a bogey on the 13th, he came back immediately with a birdie on the par-5 14th, then rattled off nine straights pars before birdieing the sixth hole. Robison's 70 allowed him to jump 14 spots into a tie for 61st.
 
Still at the top of Utah's leaderboard is Javier Barcos, who sits in a tie for 17th. His best stretch of golf came on the back nine, where he was 1-under. Barcos is also 1-under for the tournament after finishing round two 1-over.
 
Sergio Jimenez had an up-and-down day that included three birdies and an eagle on the front nine, where his score was 2-under. Jimenez was even for the day and is 1-over for the tournament, tied for 25th. Braxton Watts is currently tied for 45th.

Utah will enter the final day of play in Austin two shots ahead of sixth-place Wake Forest for the final spot at the NCAA Championships, which will be held from May 24 – 29 at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.
 
Up Next
One more day of competition remains and if the Utes can maintain their standing within the top five, they'll earn a ticket to the NCAA Championships.
 
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