16A = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 7, 2001
Sophomore golfer becomes leader
By John Domoney Kansan sportswriter
"You can't start a fire without a spark," New Jersey-native Bruce Springsteen sang in Dancing in the Dark.
Fellow New Jersey native Tyler Hall is vying to start a fire under his golf game, and the sophomore golfer lit the spark at the Nelson-Stanford Invitational on Oct. 28. During the final round in Palo Alto, Calif., Hall played his way to a round of 67 enabling him to finish the tournament in a tie for second place.
"It's funny because after my ninth hole of the day I started to get it going," Hall said. "I lost track of where I stood during the final holes. It was kind of shocking because I didn't think my score would hold up for second place."
Hall has spent most of Kansas' fall schedule on the fringe of potential greatness, and he has taken over the second spot on the Jayhawks' starting five.
Not only does Hall have one of the
team's highest individual finishes of the year, he also has two of the team's lowest rounds. He carded a 67 in the second round of the Purina-Missouri Bluffs Classic on Oct. 8.
Head coach Ross Randall's ability to sign Hall out of high school in the summer of 1999 is as amazing as Hall's upside on the golf course.
When Randall was on the PGA Tour he had Larry Hall, Tyler's father, caddy for him in several events in Florida.
It came as a pleasant surprise for Randall when the elder Hall suggested Tyler as a candidate to join the Kansas golf program.
But Hall has had to wait his turn on the team, as he redshirted during his first year. Hall used that year to work on his game and prepare himself for the mental tests he would face in collegiate golf.
"It kind of gave me an insight into where I needed to get my game," Hall said. "I worked on my golf swing with Coach freshman year, getting my swing foundations solid."
son, Hall was determined to return to Lawrence this fall as one of the team's top performers.
"Last year I got into the loop a couple of times," Hall said. "I had a really strong summer, and I felt like my game was ready."
Randall said he liked Hall's hungry approach to the game, "The first year which he redshirted he was eager and anxious for it to end so he could get going," Randall said. "He's so excited about playing and competing."
As Kansas heads toward winter break before returning to action in Hawaii on Feb. 13 to15, Hall thinks he can win any tournament.
After seeing little action last sea
J. E.WILSON/KANSAN
"I feel like last week kind of opened doors in my mind," Hall said. "My game is good enough to compete with the top players in tournaments. I will gladly take second place but first place would be sweet."
Contact Domoney at 864-4858
KU Golfer Tyler Hall puts on the fifth hole at Alvamar Golf Course in a practice round. The team's next tournament is Feb. 13 to 15 in Waikoloa, Hawaii.
Golf finishes tied for second in California
By John Domoney
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas men's golf team ended its fall campaign on a high note yesterday with a second-place tie at The Prestige at Palm Desert in Palm Desert, Calif.
Yesterday was a busy day at the Desert Willow Golf Resort as play
The Hawks shot a score of 849 which put them five shots behind champion Washington Huskies and even with Colorado.
began at 6:30 a.m. to complete Monday's second round, which was delayed by darkness, and the final round.
The Jayhawks stood in first place after Monday's first round score of 278 but faltered in the second round with a score of 290.
But play improved as Kansas rebounded in the final round to fire a combined 281.
"I'm very pleased that we finished second in the tournament today."
said Kansas coach Ross Randall. "I felt that all in all everyone had solid rounds, especially at the finish of those rounds."
Junior Chris Marshall came in strong with a 73 in the second round and then a four under par 68 in the final round to earn a 10th-place tie with fellow Jayhawk Travis Hurs*
Hurst didn't capitalize on his 64-shot opening round as he shot a six-over-par 78 in the second round followed up by a three-under-par 69 in
Randall said he was satisfied with yesterday's results and that he hoped Kansas could hit their peak during the spring schedule.
the final round, which was aided by birdies on four of the last five holes.
The Jayhawks take a long break before their next tournament, which will be Feb. 13 to 15 at the Taylor Made/Big Island Invitational in Waikoloa, Hawaii.
Contact Domoney at 864-4858
Students' reactions to Jordan mixed
By Ryan Greene Kansan sportswriter
Their opinions are varied, but University of Kansas students are talking about Michael Jordan's return to the NBA.
Jordan has averaged 22.25 points and 5.75 assists per game in the four games since his return, highlighted by a 31-point performance in 40 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks last week. The 38-year-old has been less dominant in his return thus far than he was during his previous two stints in the NBA, during which he led the Chicago Bulls to six championships.
Nonetheless, some fans resent Jordan's return to the limelight.
"I think it could have a negative in the sense that it draws attention away from players who deserve the recognition," Ballow said.
Jonah Ballow, Lone Tree, Colo., sophomore, has always enjoyed watching Jordan play basketball. But Ballow sees a downside to Jordan's comeback.
Ballow said he thought that recognition was being taken away from Orlando's Tracy McGrady and Los Angeles' Kobe Bryant, two
players who could frustrate Jordan on the floor. Ballow said he saw Jordan's impact improving the Wizards' record with about 15 to 20 additional wins this season. He doesn't predict that they will earn a playoff berth.
Karo Akpolo, Richmond Hills, Ga., sophomore, has a different take. He thought Jordan could improve the qual-
Michael Jordan
BOM.
"No coaches can mold them into men like he can," Aikpolo said.
Akpolo said he did not think that any other NBA player had the mental toughness or drive to intimidate Jordan on the court. Unlike Ballow, Akpolo said he could envision the Wizards winning an NBA title.
Contact Greene at 864
4858
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