OLD HICKORY, Tenn. – Clayton Portz became just the fourth golfer in Northern Kentucky’s history to shoot a school-record-tying 65 (-7), a total he reached Monday in the opening round of the Big Blue Intercollegiate at the Hermitage Golf Course.
Starting on hole No. 10, Portz converted four birdies and one eagle en route to recording a 30 on the back nine. The lone hiccup of his round came courtesy of a bogey on hole No. 2, but the junior rebounded with birdies on the fourth and ninth holes to reach 65.
Portz led the Norse to a 5-under par 283 in the opening round, the lowest mark for NKU since the team notched four rounds at 283 or better during the 2011-12 campaign.
Matt Wetherill and Jacob Brinker joined Portz in the red after the opening round. Wetherwill shot a 3-under 69 and Brinker carded a 1-under 71. Zach Wright and Phoenix Ramsey posted matching 78s in the first round.
The second 18 holes featured another under-par round from Portz, who shot a 70 (-2). The native of Springfield, Ohio (Kenton Ridge) now sits at 9-under for the tournament and is tied for second.
Northern Kentucky finished the day tied-6th after Portz and Co. combined for a 294 in the second round.Wright carded an even-par round (72) and Wetherill posted a 2-over (74). Wetherill is tied for 14th and Wright is sharing 43rd.
Ramsey posted a second-straight round of 78 (+6) and is t-72nd. Brinker shot 83 and is now tied for 64th.
Play will continue Tuesday with the final round. An 8 a.m. shotgun start is scheduled.
From NKU Athletics