Photo by: Collin Phillips/Ball State Athletics
Kuntz and Cardinals Open NCAA Men's Golf Regional with Record-Breaking Round
May 13, 2024 | Men's Golf
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Ball State entered this week's NCAA men's golf regional at UNC Finley Golf Club in North Carolina as the No. 12 seed out of 13 teams. But it took just one round to launch the Cardinals into a brief lead and put junior Braxton Kuntz in contention for an individual title.
Ball State assumed its spot atop the leaderboard after Kuntz (62-72—134) completed his fifth birdie of the first round, on the par-3 eighth hole as Ball State finished its opening round on the front nine holes. Ball State stood atop North Carolina and Georgia Tech at that moment, but slipped into a second-place tie with the Yellow Jackets as the round came to a close. The Cardinals' 7-under-par 273 that was its lowest ever in NCAA Championship competition, and the fourth-best in program history overall.
Kuntz led Ball State's first-round onslaught with an 8-under 62 that was a new course record and the lowest open-round individual score in an NCAA Regional since at least 1998. Kuntz' 62 was six strokes better than Ball State's previous record in NCAA Championship competition (68 by McCormick Clouser in the 2013 first round at Pullman, Washington). It tied teammate Kash Bellar with the program's lowest round ever recorded, during the 2021 Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational at Delaware Country Club. It was the third round in Ball State history that was eight strokes under par, matching Bellar's 2021 round and an 8-under 64 by Eric Steger, at Renaissance Golf Club in Fort Myers, Fla., in 2009.
When first-round play concluded, Kuntz was in territory never before reached by a Ball State player: leading the NCAA Regional by three strokes, ahead of six golfers tied for second.
Cesare, Kuntz and teammate Ali Khan (72-70—142) were the only Cardinals players to finish their second rounds. Kash Bellar and Carter Smith will complete their second rounds when play resumes Tuesday morning.
Ball State Individual Results, through 8:15 p.m., middle of second round
No. 4 Braxton Kuntz (134): 31-31—62 | 34-39—73 (-6, 9th)
No. 5 Alec Cesare (138): 32-36—68 | 36-35—71 (-2, 20th)
No. 3 Ali Khan (142): 37-35—72 | 35-35—70 (+2, 36th)
No. 2 Kash Bellar (---): 37-34—71 | in progress (+4, 51st)
No. 1 Carter Smith (---): 37-39—76 | in progress (+12, 67th)
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Ball State assumed its spot atop the leaderboard after Kuntz (62-72—134) completed his fifth birdie of the first round, on the par-3 eighth hole as Ball State finished its opening round on the front nine holes. Ball State stood atop North Carolina and Georgia Tech at that moment, but slipped into a second-place tie with the Yellow Jackets as the round came to a close. The Cardinals' 7-under-par 273 that was its lowest ever in NCAA Championship competition, and the fourth-best in program history overall.
Kuntz led Ball State's first-round onslaught with an 8-under 62 that was a new course record and the lowest open-round individual score in an NCAA Regional since at least 1998. Kuntz' 62 was six strokes better than Ball State's previous record in NCAA Championship competition (68 by McCormick Clouser in the 2013 first round at Pullman, Washington). It tied teammate Kash Bellar with the program's lowest round ever recorded, during the 2021 Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational at Delaware Country Club. It was the third round in Ball State history that was eight strokes under par, matching Bellar's 2021 round and an 8-under 64 by Eric Steger, at Renaissance Golf Club in Fort Myers, Fla., in 2009.
When first-round play concluded, Kuntz was in territory never before reached by a Ball State player: leading the NCAA Regional by three strokes, ahead of six golfers tied for second.
"We can't start the conversation about our play today without mentioning the incredible opening round 62 by Braxton!," exclaimed Ball State coach Mike Fleck who is leading his second team into NCAA competition. "And to do it in this setting, it was fun to watch and be a part of. Our first round was special and I'm so proud of our guys bringing it and being ready to compete. Alec [Cesare] also had a great day and again, it is a testament to our depth."
Due to concerns of inclement weather later in the competition, the NCAA began the second round approximately 90 minutes after the conclusion of the first round, and when play was halted at 8:15 p.m., Ball State stood in eighth place with Kuntz still among tournament leaders. Kuntz sits in a ninth-place tie entering the final round of play, four strokes behind Clemson's Calahan Keever (130) who leads the tournament and played beside the Cardinals' Alec Cesare (68-70—138) through both rounds. Cesare, meanwhile, sits in a tie for 20th place.Cesare, Kuntz and teammate Ali Khan (72-70—142) were the only Cardinals players to finish their second rounds. Kash Bellar and Carter Smith will complete their second rounds when play resumes Tuesday morning.
"What a long grueling day of golf," Fleck added. "We were out there for over 13 hours and two of the guys have to be back in position at 7:15 for a 7:30 restart to complete round two. Our goal is to push for one of those top 5 spots and we are certainly in a position to do just that. I'm excited to compete and keep proving ourselves."
The final round will begin shortly after conclusion of Round 2, but abbreviated play due to weather could extend the final round over two days.Ball State Individual Results, through 8:15 p.m., middle of second round
No. 4 Braxton Kuntz (134): 31-31—62 | 34-39—73 (-6, 9th)
No. 5 Alec Cesare (138): 32-36—68 | 36-35—71 (-2, 20th)
No. 3 Ali Khan (142): 37-35—72 | 35-35—70 (+2, 36th)
No. 2 Kash Bellar (---): 37-34—71 | in progress (+4, 51st)
No. 1 Carter Smith (---): 37-39—76 | in progress (+12, 67th)
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