Kansas opens up postseason play at Big 12’s

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas men’s golf head coach Jamie Bermel will lead his Jayhawks to Hutchinson, Kansas, as the team will begin postseason play at the Big 12 men’s golf championship April 24-26.

“This tournament starts our run in the post season,” Bermel said.  “Our goal is to have five guys playing their best this week and see what we can do against a very good field. I know the guys will be excited for this opportunity.”

Senior Chase Hanna enters the last Big 12 Championship of his career leading the squad as the only player with a scoring average under par with a 70.85 (-.97 to par). Hanna has competed in the event every year, with his best finish coming last season as he tied for 21st. So far this season, Hanna has collected nine top-20 finishes, highlighted by the first individual victory of his career.

Finding his groove so far this spring, junior Daniel Hudson has finished in the top-20 in four of five events, with back-to-back top-10 finishes entering the event. Hudson has experience in the event, also finishing in a tie for 21st last season.

Kansas will look to junior Daniel Sutton to provide his consistent play. Sutton has been able to play 10 of his 15 rounds this spring at even par or better on his way to two individual finishes inside of the top-20. Sutton, a transfer from Idaho, will play in the event for the first time.

Sophomore Charlie Hillier will also play this week, competing in the event for his second year. Hillier’s game has been out of sorts so far this spring, but familiar conditions should help him break out of his funk.

In just his first season, freshman Andy Spencer has been able to finish inside of the top-20 on three different occasions. With 74 percent of his rounds counting towards the team score, Spencer has earned the opportunity to compete in his first post-season event.

The Big 12 Conference consists of five teams in the top-20 (Golfstat), including No. 2 Oklahoma State, No. 4 Baylor, No. 11 Texas Tech, No. 13 Oklahoma and No. 18 Texas. Kansas State, West Virginia, Iowa State and TCU will round out the 10-team field.

“Obviously, the Big 12 is a very competitive conference and we will see how we measure up against some of the best teams in the country,” Bermel said.

The event will take place at Prairie Dunes Golf Course with 72-holes to be played over the three days. Monday will begin the tournament with 36 holes.

“Prairie Dunes will be a great test of golf and this is a course that some of the guys have played on before, which I think helps us a bit,” Bermel said.  “I assume we will get some conditions this week that we have already played or practiced in this spring.”  

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