FOUR STATES INVITATIONAL;

ORU’s Jones, Baylor’s May build 10-shot lead

Oral Roberts University golfer Grayson Jones felt like he had finally contributed to his team's success in the Four States Invitational 4-Ball at Texarkana Country Club.

Jones and Baylor sophomore Garrett May followed up Friday's spectacular 61 with an 8-under-par 64 Saturday to build a 10-stroke cushion over defending champions Zack Looney and Tyler Dunlap, who posted a 69 for a 135 total.

There are five other teams in the battle for second and third place. Tied at 140 (4-under-par) are Corey Wells and Clay Jeffirs; Trevor Arts and Chris beheny; and Ben Branson and Brennan Watkins. One more shot back are the teams of Chuck Gardner and Greg Gresham, and Bruce Hornbuckle and Adam Manual.

“It does look like everyone is playing for second and third in the championship flight,” Looney said. “It's all coming down to tomorrow if we don't get any rain. Tyler and I need to improve on the backside. We haven't done what we should have these two days. Tomorrow we need to go four or five under on the back.”

May and Jones shot 3-under over the first nine holes thanks to Jones' play, according to May, who just returned home to Texarkana from the NCAA National tournament.

It appeared Looney and Dunlap were mounting a charge with birdies at 10, 11 and 12, but the leaders kept pace for the most part with birdies of their own at 10 and 12.

“I'm very happy following a 61 with a 64, that's what you want to do,” May said. “I was really proud of Grayson today because I really didn't have it on the front nine. He kept us in it. I caught a little bit of what I had yesterday on the back nine, particularly the final four holes.”

May finished his day with birdies at 16, 17 and 18.

“Today it was both of us, and we got around with the same score,” May said. “Today was the best team golf that we have played.”

Jones was also pleased with his performance in the second round.

“It was pretty even today, and I was able to help out some,” he said. “I probably shot one-under by myself with four birdies. We definitely brother-in-lawed it a little bit.”

Much of May and Jones' success has come at the par-5s and par-3s.

They've birdied seven of the par-5s that they've played and four of the eight par-3s.

“We've had birdie look at every par-three except thirteen today,” Jones said.

May's goal today is winning, and having fun doing it.

“It has really seemed easy for us the last two days,” he said. “We're just out here trying to have fun. Coming off nationals I was burnt a little on competitive golf. It was really a grind this spring. Coming out here on our home track, for me, it was just about having fun.

“We're playing well and we expect to win tomorrow.”