Ronne Helps Push Ducks Ahead at Bandon

BANDON, Ore. – Craig Ronne shot a 2-under 69 to help give the Oregon men's golf team a one-shot lead heading into Tuesday's final round of the Bandon Dunes Championship.
 
On a day where the Sheep Ranch Course at Bandon Dunes again showed its teeth, Ronne had a the lowest round on Monday, a 2-under 69, as the Ducks moved up from fourth to first.
 
"Sheep Ranch is a major test right now," said coach Casey Martin. "Winds and tough greens are making the scoring difficult."
 
The Ducks moved into the lead by shooting the lowest round of the day, an 11-over 295. For the tournament, Oregon is at 15-over 583, followed by No. 9 Kansas at 584, San Jose State at 585 and Utah at 587.
 
How it Happened: Ronne was unflappable with three birdies, one bogey and 14 pars on a day when level par was an achievement.
 
"We had a great round today from Craig today," said Martin.
 
Oregon also counted a 2-over 73 from Nate Stember, a 5-over 76 from Owen Avrit and a 6-over 77 from Eric Doyle.
 
Four Ducks were among the top six individuals, all of whom were within three shots of the lead. Greyson Leach had a 73 Monday and was tied for second at even-par 142. Greg Solhaug carded a 74 Monday that included his third eagle of the season and was tied for fourth at 143. Avrit and Stember were tied for sixth at 144. Leach and Solhaug are competing as individuals this week.
 
Caleb Shetler of San Jose State was the individual leader at 1-under 141
 
Also for Oregon, Jose Islas was tied for 14th at 146 and Ronne was tied for 18th at 147.
 
Quotable
Head coach Casey Martin
"Hopefully we are getting adjusted to the elements and will be ready to have a low round tomorrow."
 
Notable: Ronne was one of only four golfers under par on Monday. Leach is the tournament's top player on par-threes (minus-2), while Islas is best on par-fours (minus-3). As a team, Oregon is the second-best squad on par-fours for the tournament (plus-20).

Ducks On The Leaderboard
Bandon Dunes Sheep Ranch Course (Par 71, 6,748 Yards)
1. Oregon – 288-295-583 (+15)
T2. Greyson Leach* – 69-73-142 (E)
T4. Gregory Solhaug* – 69-74-143 (+1)
T6. Owen Avrit – 68-76-144 (+2)
T6. Nate Stember – 71-73-144 (+2)
T14. Jose Islas* – 71-75-146 (+4)
T18. Craig Ronne – 78-69-147 (+5)
T34. Yuki Moriyama – 72-78-150 (+8)
T60. Eric Doyle – 77-77-154 (+12)
T69. Tom Gueant* – 78-78-156 (+14)
* Competing as an individual
 
Up Next: The final round of the Bandon Dunes Championship gets underway Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.
 
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