Hutchinson ? Finishing second to Oklahoma State is nothing new to the Kansas University men’s golf team.
But after winning the Big 12 Conference tournament a year ago, the Jayhawks were somewhat disappointed with another runner-up finish Tuesday at Prairie Dunes Country Club.
“We didn’t come here to get second,” said KU sophomore Casey Harbour, who carded a 1-over-par 71 in Tuesday’s final round and finished tied for fourth at 213. “When you won last year, the only thing on your mind is to win it again.”
But few teams could have stuck with third-ranked Oklahoma State much less cut into the 10-stroke gap the Jayhawks faced to start the final day.
OSU set Big 12 tournament records for lowest score in a round (272, in the second round), lowest score after two rounds (559), lowest 54-hole score (851) and largest margin of victory (12 strokes).
“We just didn’t put together enough good, low rounds,” said KU senior Ryan Vermeer, who shot a final-round 77 and tied for eighth at 217. “I know we could have done better. Some good things happened for us, even though I’m disappointed with how I did.”
KU, which also finished second to OSU in 1993, 1994 and 1995, placed three players in the top 10 and was 10 strokes ahead of third-place Colorado (873). In addition to Harbour and Vermeer, Conrad Roberts tied for sixth at 216.
Roberts, a junior from Brecon, Wales, played even-par through 17 holes Tuesday before taking a bogey on No. 18.
Harbour, a sophomore from Lake Quivira, had only one top-10 finish this season before stringing together rounds of 70, 72 and 71 on the demanding, par-70 Prairie Dunes CC course.
“Casey and Conrad played really inspired golf,” KU coach Ross Randall said. “They were fired up to play well. Casey has been capable of playing well all year. He’s struggled. He sort of outthinks himself sometimes. He was really solid today. We saw the emergence of Casey Harbour today for KU.”
Harbour entered the tournament with a 74.36 stroke average. He had three birdies and four bogeys Tuesday and finished the tournament 3-over par.
“This is my best tournament this year by far,” he said. “I’ve been struggling all spring. It was good to play well at the right time. I tried to be positive with myself and tell myself there was a way to make par. Things are going to go wrong over 54 holes. You have to stay positive.
“My short game was very good. I gave myself a chance. I made a lot of good putts and a lot of good chips.”
Vermeer, who has finished in the top 10 in 10 tournaments this season, struggled with playing conditions on a sunny, windy day. The Omaha, Neb., senior’s final round included five bogeys, two double-bogeys and two birdies.
“My timing was off and I was getting out in front of it,” Vermeer said. “In the wind, that’s a really bad combination.”
Vermeer bogeyed Nos. 8, 10 and 11, and double-bogeyed 12. He drew groans from the gallery when his drive hit a tree 20 yards off the tee on No. 14.
But just when it looked like Vermeer might fall apart, he smashed his second shot onto the green with his 3-wood and salvaged par.
“That got me going a little bit,” said Vermeer, who played the final four holes 1-under. “That helped me a lot to get out of there with a par.”
For Kansas, Andy Stewart tied for 15th at 219, and Jake Istnick was tied for 27th at 225.
OSU junior Charles Howell won the individual title posting a league record 10-under-par 200. Teammate Edward Loar was 2-under until he bogeyed Nos. 15 and 17. His 210 was even-par. OSU’s Anders Hultman was tied for 15th at 219, Landry Mahan tied for 30th at 226. J.C. DeLeon was tied for 46th at 232.
The Cowboys entered the day with a 10-stroke lead on KU and quickly widened the gap. OSU led by 14 strokes and had the title in the bag at the turn.
Colorado was third at 873. Texas was fourth at 876. UT’s David Gossett, last year’s Big 12 champion and reigning U.S. Amateur champ, tied teammate John Klauk for 23rd at 222. First-round leader Texas A&M finished fifth at 877.
The Jayhawks, who won tournaments at Nebraska, Missouri and Colorado, finished second for the third time this season. The Jayhawks next play in the NCAA Central Regional May 18-20 at Victoria, Texas.
“We’ve won three tournaments,” Randall said. “Finishing second in the Big 12 is really good. We’re pleased with that. This team can be really good. We’re really close to clicking.”