Washington State Gains Ground at John Burns Intercollegiate Behind Burcham, Renner
LIHU'E, Hawai'i - Washington State found its rhythm on Day 2 of the John Burns Intercollegiate, shaving seven strokes off its opening-round score and showing signs of a team settling into its groove. Playing the 7,156-yard, par-70 Ocean Course at Hokuala, the Cougars posted a 2-over 282 on Friday, bringing their two-day total to 11-over 571 - good for 13th place heading into Saturday’s final round.
The day’s biggest movers were senior Peter Renner and sophomore Dylan Burcham, who both carded rounds in red figures to lead the charge.
Renner was steady and opportunistic, piecing together a 1-under 69 that featured five birdies and 10 pars. It was the kind of round that doesn’t just look good on the scorecard - it reflects a player in control of his game. Renner’s performance vaulted him 15 spots up the leaderboard, and he now sits at even par through 36 holes, tied for 17th overall.
But the most dramatic climb came from Burcham. After opening with a tough 76, the sophomore bounced back in a big way with a 1-under 69.
His round included three birdies, two bogeys, and 13 pars - a model of bounce-back golf. Burcham’s 34-spot leap up the leaderboard puts him at 5-over for the tournament, tied for 55th.
It’s the kind of response coaches love to see - mature, composed, and confident.
Freshman Dylan Boenning, who led the Cougars on Thursday with an even-par 70, couldn’t quite replicate that form in Round 2. He got off to a hot start with two birdies in his first four holes but ran into trouble down the stretch, finishing with a 3-over 73. He’ll enter the final round at 3-over 143, tied for 37th - still very much in position to finish strong.
Redshirt junior Ben Borgida also showed improvement, cutting four strokes off his opening round. He turned in a 1-over 71 on Friday, a round that had its ups and downs.
After going 2-under through eight holes, Borgida dropped three straight bogeys, but he steadied the ship with six pars and a birdie to close out. He sits at 6-over 146, tied for 67th.
Freshman Christian Flick had the highlight moment of the day for WSU with an eagle on the par-5 second hole. Though he ended the round with a 4-over 74, that eagle was a reminder of the firepower he brings to the lineup. Flick is at 7-over 147 through two rounds, tied for 72nd.
Sophomore Garrett Harrison, competing as an individual, carded a 6-over 76 in Round 2. He added two birdies to his scorecard but couldn’t quite find the consistency he needed. Harrison enters the final day at 11-over 151, tied for 87th.
With one round to go, Washington State has momentum on its side. The Cougars made tangible strides on Friday, and if their top players can keep trending upward, a move up the leaderboard isn’t out of the question.
The final round tees off Saturday at 11 a.m. PT.