ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — BYU men’s golf commenced its 2021-22 campaign by shooting 21-under-par to take an 11-shot lead after 36-holes at the William H. Tucker Invitational in New Mexico on Friday.

“I’m really proud of the way we played today,” said BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank. “It was an all-around team effort and it was great to see everyone contribute.”

All six Cougars are in the top-25 entering the final 18-holes on Saturday. BYU was led by junior David Timmins and sophomore Keanu Akina who sit in a tie for third place at 6-under par. Akina opened with a 2-over 74 but posted the low round of the tournament with an 8-under-par 64 in the second round for a 36-hole total of 138. Timmins posted rounds of 70-68—138. Both are five shots off the lead, chasing Aidan Thomas of New Mexico State who is 11-under following rounds of 67-66—133. 

All-American senior Carson Lundell shot rounds of 72-68—140 good for seventh place, while freshman Tyson Shelley kicked off his BYU career with a 36-hole score of 73-70—143 (T12). Max Brenchley rounded out the team scoring with rounds of 70-74—144 (T16) to post even par on the day.

Cole Ponich is competing as an individual at the Tucker this weekend and fired rounds of 74-71—145 which puts him in a tie for 21st entering the final 18-holes tomorrow morning.

“As good as we played this afternoon, we can still clean some things up,” said BYU assistant coach Todd Miller. “Tomorrow we need to take advantage of the short par-5’s and avoid short siding ourselves on the tucked hole locations.”

The Cougars made 28 birdies and an eagle to shoot 18-under in the second round to go with a 3-under par performance in round one. BYU's 36-hole total of 555 gives the Cougars an 11-stroke advantage over host New Mexico entering the final round tomorrow. WCC foe San Diego and New Mexico State are tied for third place at 2-under par.

BYU will tee off in the final round at 7:45 a.m. PDT with a shotgun start. Follow live scoring for the Cougars at golfstat.com.

*Individual Competitor

Day One Team Standings (Top 4)

The BYU men’s golf team will tee it up Friday in the first of five fall events at the William H. Tucker Invitational in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The 54-hole event will be held at the UNM Championship Course which is a par-72 course playing at 7,555 yards. The teams will play 36-holes on Friday followed by an 18-hole final round on Saturday.

"I always look forward to the start of the season and to playing a great golf course like the UNM Championship Course.” said BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank. I love the guys on this team and am looking forward to watching them compete this year."

Senior Carson Lundell will lead the Cougars into the 2021-22 campaign along with juniors Cole Ponich and David Timmins, sophomores Keanu Akina and Max Brenchley as well as freshman Tyson Shelley. Ponich will tee it up in New Mexico as an individual competitor.

“This season and team is unique,” said assistant coach Todd Miller. “All nine guys are playing well and will get a chance to compete in the starting lineup this year. Some years the starting lineup is consistent, but with nine guys fighting for five spots it should keep our team hungry throughout the year.”

The All-American Lundell Lundell posted six top-10 finishes, five top-five and three first place finishes, with a 70.45 scoring average during the 2020-21 season. 

In 2021, junior Cole Ponich recorded a scoring average of 72.22, two top-5 finishes, two top-10s, five top-25s and a tied for 18th finish at last years WCC Championship.

David Timmins enters the season after his 32nd place finish at the WCC Championship last May. In his first year as a Cougar, Timmins held a 73.17 scoring average to go along with one top-10, two top-15s and four top-25s.

Sophomore walk on Keanu Akina vaulted himself into the lineup late last season and posted two top-25 finishes in five events including a tied for 22nd finish at the WCC Championship. Max Brenchley also played in five events for BYU last year, his best finish coming at the La Purisima College Invite with a tied for 5th place finish in his first event as a Cougar.

Freshman Tyson Shelley hails from Salt Lake City, Utah, where he won the 2020-21 High School Golf Championship. In that win he posted rounds of 65-63—128 which was the lowest two-day total in Utah high school history.  He was the 2019 UJGA Golfer of the Year and led Skyline High School to three-straight state championships.

The Lobos of New Mexico will host 18 teams including BYU, Colorado, Denver, Dixie State, Florida Atlantic, Louisiana Tech, Louisville, Loyola Marymount, Nebraska, New Mexico, New Mexico State, North Texas, San Diego, Santa Clara, UNLV, UTEP, VCU, Wyoming and an individual competitor from Texas.

Follow the William H. Tucker Invitational with live scoring at golfstat.com.