MONKEY ISLAND, Okla. – After the first two rounds of the MIAA Men’s Golf Championships at Shangri-La Country Club, the Missouri Western men’s golf squad is in seventh place with a score of 597. Leading the Griffons on Tuesday was Tom Buffington, who sits tied for 15th entering the third and final round.

After scoring a 303 in the first round, the Griffons improved by nine strokes for a second-round score of 294. Directly ahead of Missouri Western and in sixth place is Missouri Southern with at 586. Lindenwood is the current leader of the tournament, and will look to continue to fend off Northeastern State and Washburn for the top spot.

Tom Buffington ended the first two rounds as the top score for Missouri Western with a 147. Buffington opened the tournament with a 76 (+4) in the first, but improved in the second round with a score of 71 (-1). Buffington’s second round was the best single-round score of any Missouri Western golfer on Tuesday. His 28 pars are also the second-most in the field at the championship.

Lucas Horseman is tied for 27th after a two-round total of 150. His best round came in the first when he shot just one-over with a 73.

Patrick McCarthy’s score of 151 on Tuesday lands him in a tie for 29th. After a 78 (+6) in the first round, McCarthy bounced back with a 73 (+1) in the second. He also led the team with seven birdies.

Jake Mikesch finished with a score of 156 while Cole Roberts wrapped up Monday with a 159.

Missouri Western will tee off the final round of the MIAA Men’s Golf Championships on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.

— MWSU Athletics —