Merritt wins third consecutive tournament

It is only appropriate that golf graces the minds of sports fans across the nation with the Masters in progress. Boise State golf has brought that feeling a little closer to home.

With a third consecutive win and a fifth this season Troy Merritt has been put on a pedestal, being named the Golf World Men’s College Player of the Week.

Merritt is no stranger to success. He was named to the All-Western Athletic Conference First-Team and tied the BSU single round record during the 2006-07 season.

“You never get used to it,” Merritt said. “I love playing this game … If I play well enough to break a few records and make a name for myself then so be it.”

Merritt has spent the last four weeks bouncing from Fresno, Calif., Phoenix, Ariz., Santa Barbara, Calif. and back to Phoenix, Ariz. to compete. Travel has left little time on campus to spend in the traditional fashion of a student.

“Do what you do best and do what you love to do,” Merritt said. “If you do something special, it is nice.”

The fifth win sets a new BSU record. By setting a new record he has added to the phenomenal achievements attributed to the BSU athletics in 2007-08. This week’s win also puts him at the top of NCAA Division I players for the most wins.

“While you are out there and doing it, you really don’t think about it,” Merritt said.

Merritt scored -8 (202) in his four rounds this week. This brings his average to 69.2 strokes per round. His game has stayed the same, but a change in confidence has made the biggest difference between this season and last.

“Confidence is a major part of my game,” Merritt said. “The only person who is going to beat me is myself. So I try to eliminate as many mistakes as I can.”

Aside from the grand record-breaking performance and a come-from-behind win this week, Merritt has also grasped and is flirting with more achievements this season.

BSU finishes ninth at Cowboy Classic

The Broncos finished in ninth place at the Cowboy Classic hosted at the par 70, 7,133-yard Talking Stick Golf Club, with a 12-over 854. BSU posted its best round of 1-over 281 in the second round of the tournament.

The team finished sixth in the 20-team tournament in par-3 scoring with a 3.07 stroke average.

BSU also received a tie for a 38th place finish from Matt Hastings (214, +4), a tie at 56th from John Baranco (217, +7), a tie at 101st from Kevin Tarango (225, +15) and a tie at 109th place from Robbie Richards (227, +17) to finish off the scoring for the Broncos.

Merritt’s marks

School-record for low round – 62 (-9)

School-record low three round score – 200 (-16)

School-record scoring

average – 70.2

Second place for Broncos all-time list top ten finishes – 19

Third place for season top

ten finishes – 7

KIRK BELL
Sports Writer

Related Posts:

1. Merritt awaits NCAA announcement
2. Broncos tie for second at two-day tournament
3. SideLines
4. Tournament win lifts Men’s Golf program
5. Boise State wins second consecutive PAC-10 Wrestling Championship