Yellowjacket Links Impressive on First Day of Ryder Cup

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State Billings men’s and women’s golf teams were impressive on the first day of the Rocky Mountain College/MSUB Ryder Cup match play event at Peter Yegen Golf Course in Billings.  The MSUB men’s team holds a 2½ to 1½-point lead over Rocky, while the women are tied, 2-2 heading into tomorrow’s final round.

The tournament format today was four ball, best ball, match play.  There were eight MSUB men and eight MSUB women for four two-man teams per gender competing against the same for Rocky.  The point breakdown was a point per win.

“Our men played very well today,” MSUB first-year head coach Shawn O’Brien said.  “Any time you can go to someone else's golf course and win two and tie one match out of four, I have to be pleased. Tomorrow will give us a good understanding where our men stand as a team and where our men stand in our team seeding.”

On the women’s side, freshmen Liz Tikriti and Hannah McPherson came from behind and won their match on the 18th green to for the first day tie.  Libby Rutz and Kalli Stanhope also had an impressive outing as well.

“Our women played very well today,” O’Brien said.  “We had several individuals step up and play well.  Two freshman, Elizabeth Tikriti and Hannah McPherson played with poise.  Both played like upper classman and I am very pleased with their performance.  Tomorrow will be a good chance to evaluate our play before entering our first conference tournament on Monday.  Rocky Mountain College I         s a great team who has always done very well.”

Tomorrow’s format is straight match play and is schedule to tee off at 1 p.m.  Both MSUB and Rocky will get back together in the spring to complete the Ryder Cup.  The spring portion is scheduled for Apr. 1-2.