An old fashioned shootout between border rivals Kansas and Missouri will take place today at Alvamar Golf Club.
Missouri University's golf team, which totaled a 36-hole score of 6-over-par 582 during first-day play Monday at the Kansas Invitational, holds a five-shot lead over runnerup KU.
Drake and Wichita State tied for third at 599 strokes with everybody else well back in the pack in the 17-team event.
"I'd say it is right now," KU coach Ross Randall said about a two-team dogfight. "Missouri has improved tremendously. If they play well again, they'll be tough to beat. We've got some ground to make up. If we win this, it will be well-deserved."
The Jayhawks, who won their first fall tournament by a school-record 35 shots, didn't fare well Monday in cold, windy, rainy conditions at Alvamar.
Senior Ryan Vermeer shot 70-71--141 to trail MU's David Suggs by one shot in the individual medalist race. KU's next best finisher was Jake Istnick at 16th (77-72--149).
Andy Stewart shot 71-79--150 and tied for 23rd. Conrad Roberts (74-78) and Brad Davis (78-74) tied for 31st after one day.
"Ryan played steady," Randall said. "On the whole, we made a lot of tactical errors. We hit the wrong club off the tee on a lot of holes. Several of our players had trouble finishing."
Randall said the rain was no excuse.
"We were sloppy, not sharp. Part of it is the weather conditions. Umbrellas were out at least half the day," Randall said. "But it's the same for everybody."
Rain has plagued the Kansas Invitational in the past. The Jayhawks have slogged through soggy conditions to win their own fall tournament the past two years.
"It's rained once in 40 days and rains today," Randall groaned. "We like to bring these teams in here. We want all the teams to enjoy Lawrence, the weather and Alvamar and the last four years ... rain."
The golfers were to tee it up today for a final 18-hole round at 9 a.m. It is not expected to rain.
"We are within reach. Sure we have got ground to make up but we have not played at all the way we are capable," Randall said. "Maybe we not as good as we think we are."
The Jayhawks were ranked No. 1 in the country in the first Sagarin Ratings of the season.
"It's a nice little thing, but the real top teams have not played yet," Randall said. "It will change later. The guys realize that.
"This is an important event for us in District Five. It's a district event and we don't get to see each other often. Each team wants to get their won-loss percentage up there. I'm looking to see our whole team do better. I told the guys, 'Have a nice dinner, think of the mistakes you made and be ready tomorrow.'''
-- Gary Bedore's phone message number is 832-7186. His e-mail address is gbedore@ljworld.com.
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