Sooners one of early spring's hottest teams

Courtesy Oklahoma

Abraham Ancer (file photo)

Oklahoma has been quite the surprise team this spring.

In the Sooners' past two tournaments, played in just a week’s time, they finished first and second, respectively.

On Feb. 12, the Sooners won the UTSA/Oak Hills Invitational at Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio. The 14-team tournament featured five teams among the top 50 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings.

The Sooners won by posting a 54-hole total of 10-over 862 to finish one stroke ahead of North Texas. Oklahoma entered the final round three strokes behind the Mean Green.

Less than a week later, the Sooners finished second in the Puerto Rico Classic at Rio Mar Country Club in Rio Grande. OU trailed No. 5-ranked Alabama by seven shots in a field that included eight teams in Golfweek's top 50.

Oklahoma played to within one stroke of Alabama until the final five holes the Crimson Tide until the final five holes. During that stretch, Alabama went 7 under.

Will Kropp and Abraham Ancer have been been major contributors to Oklahoma’s early-spring success. Kropp, a senior from Edmond, Okla., finished in the top 5 at both events, including a runner-up in Puerto Rico. Ancer, a senior from Mission, Texas, posted two top 10s.

The team’s next start will be the March 8-10 Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters in Las Vegas, an event that will include eight of Golfweek's top 10 teams.

The Sooners are looking primed for a good spring and a long postseason run.