GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Kansas State men's golf team sits in a tie for eighth place after day one of the Desert Shootout. The Wildcats carded a 1-under par 287 at the 7,015 yard Palm Valley Golf Course. The Wildcats were lead by senior Robert Streb who carded a team best 3-under par 68.

"One-under is not great with the scoring conditions today," said head coach Tim Norris. "They have pre-marked the hole locations and it shows that the course is going to get tougher the next two days which should help us because I know that we can play better. Our guys are experienced and patient enough to know that it is just the first 18-holes and that this is a 54-hole event and we know how to come from behind."

Host team Denver is atop the leaderboard after carding a 17-under par 271. The Pioneers were led by sophomore Austin Uhl who carded a 5-under-par 65 and finished the day tied for third. In second place after carding a 13-under-par 275 is Tulsa. Coastal Carolina, Air Force, and Southern Utah are in a tie for third place with a 10-under-par 278.

"We are in the middle of the pack after today. We were able to hold it together and I am very optimistic about the final 36-holes," said Norris.

Air Force's Tom Whitney and Tulsa's Nicholas Geyger led the way with an 8-under-par 64 after the first 18 holes. Wildcat senior Streb is in a sixth place after carding a 3-under-par 68. The 68 ties his lowest 18-hole score since he carded a 68 in the final round of the Pacific Invitational on Nov. 5. 

"He has been solid all year," said Norris about Streb's performance. "Robert is going to shoot this type of score no matter where we are playing. His game is so solid from the tee box to the green. He rolled several great putts today that didn't quite go in especially on holes No. 16 and No. 17. He is going to be a tough guy to replace next year and is having a great senior year."

Junior Joe Ida carded a 1-over-par 72 and is in a tie for 40th place after the first round. Finishing one stroke behind Ida was sophomore Ross Geubelle, who is tied for 52nd place after finishing with a 2-over-par 73. Mitchell Gregson followed Geubelle with a 3-over-par 74 and is tied for 57th place heading into round two.

Daniel Wood, who competed as an individual, carded a 4-over-par 75 and is in a tie for 70th place after the first round. Rounding out the Wildcat lineup was sophomore Kyle Smell who carded a 5-over-par 76 and is in a tie for 74th place heading into round two.

The Wildcats tee off the second round of the Desert Shootout on Friday at 8:30 p.m.

Desert Shootout

Goodyear, Ariz.

Palm Valley Golf Club

Par 71, 7,015 yards

Team Scores: 1. Denver, 271 (-17); 2. Tulsa, 275 (-13); T3. Air Force, 278 (-10); T3. Southern Utah, 278 (-10); T3. Coastal Carolina, 278 (-10); 6. Kansas, 282 (-4); 7. Boise State, 283 (-5); T8. Kansas State, 287 (-1); T8. Cleveland State, 287 (-1); T8. Iowa State, 287 (-1); 11. Nebraska, 290 (+4); 12. Utah Valley, 292 (+6); 13. Northern Iowa, 293 (+7); 14. Missouri State, 294 (+8)

Top Individuals: T1. Tom Whitney, Air Force, 64 (-7); T1. Nicolas Geyger, Tulsa, 64 (-7); T3. Arie Fauzi, Tulsa, 67 (-4); T3. Austin Uhl, Denver. 67 (-4); T3. *Charlie Winegardner, Coast. Car, 67 (-4)

K-State Individuals: T6. Robert Streb, 68 (-3); T40. Joe Ida, 72 (+1); T52. Ross Geubelle, 73 (+2); T57. Mitchell Gregson, 74 (+3); T70. Daniel Wood*, 75 (+4); T74. Kyle Smell, 76 (+5)

* Competing as an individual