DADE CITY, Fla. — Sophomore Carson Baez is making waves at the Lake Jovita Invitational, leading after the first two rounds with impressive scores of 67 and 68. At 9-under, he stands two shots ahead of the competition among 88 golfers.
“I felt confident today, thanks to my recent practice and amateur play,” Baez said. “In the past, I focused too much on winning and lost my rhythm. Today, I played patient and smart. I knew if I hit the right greens, birdies would come.”
Baez’s day kicked off with eight pars before he birdied the par-5 9th, a move that sparked a flurry of six birdies and just one bogey over seven holes. Round 2 brought a “crazy hiccup”—a four-putt for a triple bogey on the 6th—but he bounced back with seven birdies to secure a solid 68.
Drew Carlin, a senior playing as an individual, had a standout performance, carding a 67, his lowest collegiate score. This pushed him into a tie for seventh place at 3-under par (141).
“It was a slow start, but I locked in afterward,” Carlin noted. “I hit a lot of greens and my wedges were solid.”
The Richmond Spiders are tied for second place in the 14-team field at 6-under par (570), neck-and-neck with Connecticut and trailing Xavier, which leads at 9-under (567).
Junior Jack LaPiana shot back-to-back rounds of 72, landing him tied for 27th at even par. Freshman Lucas Rizo-Patron improved in Round 2 with a 2-under 70, putting him in a large group tied for 32nd.
Meanwhile, juniors Quin Polin and Parker Moellinger are tied for 42nd and 76th, respectively.
As the Spiders prepare for the final round, Baez aims to maintain his approach. “I’m just going to keep playing my game. I’m looking forward to having fun and seizing this chance to win.”
Insights and Statistics
According to recent golf statistics, professional players often emphasize the importance of mental resilience in tournaments. Sports psychologists suggest focusing on the process rather than the outcome can significantly improve performance. This aligns with Baez’s strategy of patient play, which is crucial in high-pressure situations.
As golf continues to gain popularity, events like this tournament promote not only skill but also sportsmanship among young players. Social media buzz around the event shows excitement for Baez’s lead and the Spiders’ performance, highlighting the growing community surrounding collegiate sports.
For more on the tournament and player stats, visit the NCAA Golf page.
