Taylor Moore fired a 3-under-par 69 and the No. 21 Arkansas men’s team posted three eagles to surge back into contention on Tuesday at the NCAA Kohler (Wis.) Regional.
The Razorbacks shot a 4-under 284, the third-best score of the day at Blackwolf Run’a Meadow Valleys course, to sit at even par and in fourth place after two rounds. Arkansas is 11 strokes behind regional leader Florida and six strokes ahead of fifth-place Idaho.
The top five teams from each of six 54-hole regionals advance to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., in two weeks.
More from WholeHogSports
http://www.wholehog…">The latest on the Razorbacks in the NCAAs
Moore’s 3-under 69 included an eagle on the par-5 11th hole and three consecutive birdies on the front nine. The senior’s two-day total of 1 under is tied for sixth place in the individual standings, medalist race, five shots behind Florida’s Alejandro Tosti, who is two shots clear of Ohio State’s Tee-k Kelly.
Senior Nicolas Echavarria, who carded a 72, and freshman Charles Kim (71) also posted eagles for the Hogs. Kim is in a group tied for 10th at even par 144, while Echavarria is a shot back.
Arkansas senior Kolton Crawford took a 3-under round into his final hole, but had a triple bogey to finish at even par. His score counted as sophomore Alvaro Ortiz came in at 3-over 75.
No. 4 Illinois made the day’s biggest move, firing a 5 under to reach second place, seven strokes behind Florida. No. 10 Florida State (-2) is nine shots behind the Gators and in position to advance to the NCAAs. Idaho, which was tied for the first-round lead, posted an 11 over for a two-day total of 6 over to stay just ahead of No. 28 Baylor (+8) for fifth place.
The Razorbacks will tee off at 7:50 a.m. today on the first tee along with Idaho and Baylor. Arkansas is seeking its fifth appearance at the NCAA Championships in the past eight seasons.