Cook, Gooch share lead after first round of Houston Open
Austin Cook and Talor Gooch shot 8-under-par 64s Thursday to take the lead after the first round of the Houston Open.
The PGA Tour returned to the Houston area after an 18-month hiatus without much star power — the highest- ranked player in the field for the season's fifth fall start was Sweden's Henrik Stenson at No. 37 — but plenty of good play. There were 13 players under par by at least five shots.
Gooch matched Cook stroke for stroke and tied the low round of his career with a careerbest 10 birdies, and he also saved one of his pars with a career-long putt of more than 63 feet.
Cook and Gooch hold a one-stroke lead over Sepp Straka. The 26-year-old Austrian's 65 included a run of four successive birdies after he turned the corner.
Russell Henley, Lanto Griffin and Tyler McCumber are lurking after 6- under 66s, and the five-man group at 67 includes 20-yearold Houstonian Cole Hammer, the secondranked amateur in the world.
San Diego State's Luq Barcoo named Jim Thorpe Award Player of the Week
San Diego State senior cornerback Luq Barcoo has been named the Jim Thorpe Award Player of the Week after his three-interception game against Colorado State last Saturday.
Barcoo's interceptions came on three consecutive Colorado State offensive snaps at the end of the third and beginning of the fourth quarter. The Aztecs beat the Rams 24-10.
Barcoo added six tackles and another pass breakup.
Pittsburgh's Paris Ford, Middle Tennessee's Jovante Moffatt, Michigan's Ambry Thomas and Stanford's Paulson Adebo were named honorable mention players for Week 6.
The Jim Thorpe Award is presented annually to the best defensive back in college football.
O'Brate Stadium set to open March 20, 2020
Oklahoma State's new baseball stadium opening is coming in the spring, but not after one final run from the Cowboys' storied home.
O'Brate Stadium will open for OSU's Big 12 opener Friday, March 20, 2020, against TCU, the university announced. That leaves 14 nonconference games to be played at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium, beginning Feb. 21.
“The opening of O'Brate Stadium will represent a historic day for Cowboy Baseball,” OSU coach Josh Holliday said in a release. “The experience for our players, coaches and fans will be unlike any we have experienced in Stillwater. The ability to train our players and compete in a world-class facility is such a gift.
“We can't put into words our appreciation to the O'Brate family and the other generous donors for making this dream come true. Our friends, fans, opponents and baseball enthusiasts will have an amazing experience in our new home.”
The final game at Allie P. is set for Sunday, March 15, against Fresno State. There will be no final ceremony, though, after OSU celebrated the stadium all last season.
The Cowboys host Arkansas on Saturday in a fall exhibition game.
Fans in attendance can place a $75 season-ticket deposit per account holder and gain exclusive access to O'Brate Stadium ticket information.