Thursday, May 30, 2002 | 9:51 a.m.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A heavy fog blanketed the Scarlet Course at Ohio State University early this morning, a day after UNLV's opening round of the NCAA Men's Golf Championships was halted because of a two-hour rain delay.
The fog finally lifted allowing the sun to peek through the abundance of trees on the picturesque course, giving the Rebels hope of better things to come.
But by the time they completed their first round, they needed all the sunshine they could get.
UNLV shot a total 8-over-par 284 landing in a tie for 23rd, 15 strokes behind leader Georgia Tech and Illinois, each at 277.
"I think the big thing for us is to try to put the ball in the fairway and on the greens," UNLV coach Dwaine Knight said. "I was hoping we could gain a little bit out on these last few holes.
"We didn't get much out of them and actually lost a couple shots. When you're having to scramble so hard in this rough, you lose your patience on the greens."
Following the first round, UNLV immediately teed off for the second round.
The rain softened the greens and turned the course into a soggy marsh that troubled the Rebels.
UNLV freshman Ryan Moore bogeyed Nos. 3 and 5 this morning to finish 1-over-par 72 while Clark Corbett and J.C. Deacon were each 2-over. Brandon Askew birdied his final two holes en route to carding a 3-over 74.
Corbett had birdie opportunities on every hole he played this morning but was able to capitalize only once, on the par-4 No. 3.
The Rebels finished on the front nine with Askew bagging a birdie on the par-3, 187-yard No. 8 hole despite hitting his 8-iron into the bunker. On No. 9, a 414-yard par 4, Askew hit driver, sand wedge to about one foot.
He was glad the team was able to get back out as soon as possible.
"We just have to keep our heads up," Askew said. "We obviously didn't play anywhere near where we wanted to, but I think we're hungry right now to get the second round.
"I know a few of us finished well. We know how the course is playing. With the greens being soft, it's nice because you can go right after the pin."
The Rebels, paired with North Carolina and Tulsa, were playing holes 1-3 Wednesday afternoon when the heavy downpour started.
After beginning a muggy Wednesday afternoon on the back nine, the team was even at the turn.
But a double-bogey by Askew on the par-4 No. 2 and a double-bogey by Deacon on the third hole put the team in a tentative tie for 17th with Auburn and Texas Tech at 4-over when play was stopped.
"That was tough because we were kind of hanging in there the front nine," Knight said. "Clark had a double on 16 and then the two there. Other than that, we weren't in too bad shape."
Prior to the delay, Colorado finished its round shooting 4-under-par 280. The Buffaloes wound up in sole possession of fourth.
Buffalo senior Ben Portie carded a 5-under 66 tying Washington's Brock Mackenzie, who finished his final four holes this morning, atop the leaderboard.
"Shooting 4-under is where we are, so it'll count no matter what happens from now on so we feel good about it," Simpson said. "I'm very happy with it.
"Our focus is to get ourselves in contention going into the last day so we knew we needed to get off to a good start, which we did."
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