MESA, Ariz., May 23, 2019 – The Battlin’ Bears finished the third round of the 2019 NAIA Men’s Golf National Championship in seventh place on Thursday.
“It was a tough day,” said head men’s golf coach Aaron Pohle. “We had a tough time finding our rhythm. ”
Rocky Mountain College shot a third round of 308 for a three-day total of 46-over-par 898.
With a three-day total at 10-over-par, sophomore Mitchell Thiessen leads the Battlin’ Bears for the third day in a row. He shot a third round of 7 over-par with a single birdie to slide from sixth in the individual leaderboard to a tie for 30th. Thiessen continues to lead the tournament in par-4 scoring at even-par.
Colton Murphy sits in 36th at 11-over-par 224 after shooting 3 over-par Thursday. The senior finished the round with three birdies and eight pars.
Michael Tait posted his best round of the tournament Thursday after finishing the day three-over-par-74. Despite finishing the par-4 first hole in eight strokes, the senior rebounded and carded six birdies and seven pars. Tait moved up 17 spots in the rankings to a tie at 49 with a three day total of 16-over-par 229.
Reece Nilsen finished in 54th Thursday at 17-over-par 230. On a third round of 82, Nilsen eagled the par-5 sixth hole, but ended the day with a trio of double bogeys.
HoTae Kim sits in 66th after carding 81 in the third round. He finished the round with two birdies and eight pars. His three-total sits at 21-over-par 234.
“We are excited for the opportunity to compete tomorrow and are hungry to put our best foot forward,” said Pohle.
Texas Wesleyan stayed in first for the third day in a row at 18-over-par 870. Kansas Wesleyan University’s Ben Hadden is first individually at two-under-par 211.
The Battlin’ Bears will play the fourth and final round of the 2019 NAIA Men’s Golf National Championship tomorrow.
