MAYETTA, Kan. -- Blake Saffell jumped out to a four-stroke lead and the Washburn Ichabod men's golf team finished the first day of the Firekeeper Open in 5th place as the second round was cut short due to darkness. The field will finish the second round on Tuesday morning at Firekeeper Golf Club before concluding with the third and final round.
Saffell sat at or near the top of the leaderboard for most of the day, firing a first-round 4-under 68. The junior made eagle on the par-5, 570-yard 6th hole while making three birdies in his opening 18 holes. After starting the second round with nine straight pars, Saffell sits at 4-under for the round with one hole to finish.
Quinn Earwood sits in a tie for 5th place at 2-under, opening his second round with back-to-back birdies following an even-par first round. Earwood is 2-under in the second round with one hole to play.
Marco Anderson finished the day in a tie for 50th place. Anderson posted a 6-over 78 in the first round before improving in the second round, sitting at 1-over for the round with one hole to play.
Hayden Beck sits in a tie for 75th place, opening the day with a round of 81. The senior turned in a nine-stroke improvement in the second round, posting a 1-over 73 that featured nine consecutive pars on the back nine.
James Hill finished his day in a tie for 96th place. Hill shot a first-round 85 before posting an 11-stroke improvement in the second round, finishing the afternoon with a 2-over 74.
As tournament hosts, Washburn had the opportunity to play four golfers as individuals. Zachary Haydamack led the Ichabod individuals, finishing the afternoon in a tie for 40th place after rounds of 76 and 74. Haydamack made three birdies in each of the two rounds.
Michael Matteucci sits in a tie for 82nd place following rounds of 79 and 76. Matteucci made three birdies in his first round, all coming on par-4 holes.
Zach Vandervoort joined Matteucci in a tie for 82nd after posting rounds of 78 and 77. After making bogey on the 18th hole in the first round, Vandervoort earned a birdie on the 395-yard par-4 in the second round, one of his three birdies on the day.
Lane Workman finished the day in a tie for 96th place after rounds of 79 and 80. Workman opened his second round with a birdie at the par-4, 440-yard 15th hole.
Washburn currently trails 4th-place Hutchinson CC by three strokes. The Ichabods have posted the lowest team score so far in the second round, sitting at 4-under as a squad.
