Solhaug’s Bogey-Free Round Helps Ducks Climb a Spot

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. – Greg Solhaug posted the only bogey-free round of the day to help Oregon withstand winds that gusted over 30 miles an hour and move up a spot to second place Tuesday after the second round of the Southwestern Invitational.
 
Solhaug had 16 pars and birdied the fourth and 16th holes at the par-72, 7,017-yard North Ranch Country Club. Solhaug's 2-under round of 70 moved him to 4-under 140 for the tournament. He was tied for sixth, five strokes out of the lead heading to Wednesday's final round.
 
"It was nothing short of amazing for Greg to be bogey free in the windy, cold conditions today," said head coach Casey Martin.
 
As a team, Oregon had the third-best round of the day, a five-over 293, and leapfrogged first round leader Arizona State into second at 1-over 577. No. 20 Texas held the lead at 560. No. 14 Pepperdine was a shot behind the Ducks at 578. No. 4 Arizona State was 16-over on Tuesday and fell to fourth at 579.
 
How It Happened: The Ducks were in fourth place at the turn, but played the final four holes in 2-under to rally into second.
 
Owen Avrit led the charge with four birdies and a bogey on the back nine. He curled in a long birdie putt on No. 18 to finish with an even-par 72 Tuesday and was tied for 10th overall at 1-under 143.
 
The Ducks also counted a 75 from Thomas Jenkins Jr. and a 76 by Nate Stember. For the tournament, those two were tied for 31st at 6-over 150 along with teammate Greyson Leach, among others.
 
Quotable
Head Coach Casey Martin
"It was an amazing round for the guys. The conditions were so difficult. I'm really proud of the way they handled things today."
 
Notable: The average score on Tuesday was just under 76 strokes per round (75.80) … Solhaug had one of just six rounds of 2-under or better on Tuesday … Avrit recorded one of only five birdies on No. 11 Tuesday … After two rounds, Jenkins Jr. leads the field with 25 pars.
 
Ducks On The Leaderboard
Second Round
North Ranch Country Club (Par 72, 7,017 Yards)
2. Oregon – 284-293-577 (+1)
T6. Greg Solhaug – 70-70-140 (-4)
T10. Owen Avrit – 71-72-143 (-1)
T31. Thomas Jenkins Jr. – 75-75-150 (+6)
T31. Nate Stember – 74-76-150 (+6)
T31. Greyson Leach – 69-81-150 (+6)
 
Up Next: The final round Southwestern Invitational begins at 10:20 a.m. Wednesday for the Ducks. The tournament can be seen live on Golf Channel from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Pacific.
 
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