The WSU men’s golf team has moved up on the leader board in the second round of the Bandon Dunes Championship Monday at the Bandon Trails Golf Course.

The Cougars moved up one spot from 10th to tie for ninth with Denver on Monday, after shooting (+13, 297). The Cougars shot (+22, 306) in the first round, so their shooting in Round 2 was much improved.

No. 11 Clemson really distanced itself from the competition Monday after having a stellar second round. Clemson shot (-10, 274) Monday and is (-4, 564) overall.

In-state rival No. 22 Washington is currently tied for second with Missouri at (+14, 582). After being 18 strokes back from Clemson after the second round, both teams will have to play very well in order to cut the large gap.

The Cougars have an uphill battle to finish strong going into the final round Tuesday.

“We need to have a good day tomorrow and hopefully pass some teams,” WSU Head Coach Garrett Clegg said via wsucougars.com.

The Cougars, who are sitting at (+35, 603) after the first two rounds are a 40 strokes back from the leader No. 11 Clemson. They are also six strokes back from Boise State who is one spot ahead of them on the leader board at eighth.

Sophomore Derek Bayley improved his score from the first round, carding a (+2, 73) Monday. Even with the improved score, Bayley fell back in the individual standing, dropping from his shared 23rd position Sunday, to tie for 25th. Bayley is the team leader thus far for the Cougars and is (+7, 149) overall.

Freshman AJ Armstrong only trails Bayley by one stroke and matched his first round score Tuesday with (+4, 75). Armstrong is currently tied for 32nd and is (+8, 150).

Not far behind Armstrong is freshman Aaron Whalen, who is trailing Armstrong by two strokes and is (+10, 152) overall, placing Whalen tied for 38th.

Junior Nick Mandell is (+11, 153) so far and is tied for 44th. Senior Evan Omelia remains in his current standing tied for 50th (+12, 154) and sophomore Zach Anderson is tied for 64th (+16, 158).

The tournament will start its final round Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. Live scoring updates will be available on golfstat.com.

Reporting by Ryan Siefkes