Malone Wins Playoff for Runner-Up Finish as Norman High Golf Shines at Fall Preview East
Sophomore fires five-under-par (67) in final round as Tigers place three golfers inside the top 15 at Bailey Ranch Golf Course.
OWASSO, Okla. — Norman High School boys golf delivered a strong performance at the Fall Preview East, highlighted by a dramatic playoff finish from sophomore Owen Malone at Bailey Ranch Golf Course in Owasso.
Facing a competitive field featuring some of Oklahoma's top Class 6A programs, the Tigers placed two golfers inside the top six and three among the top 15 in the 36-hole tournament.
Owen Malone stole the spotlight with a six-under-par 138, firing rounds of 71 and 67 to finish tied for second with Broken Arrow senior Jacob Newsom. After entering a playoff to determine the runner-up, Malone delivered under pressure, birdieing the second playoff hole to claim second place outright.
Malone's final-round 67 (-5) was the lowest round of the day among the field and capped a seven-stroke improvement from his opening round. His six-under-par tournament total finished just one stroke behind individual champion Porter Hart of Broken Arrow, who claimed medalist honors at seven under.
Junior Hayden Garner continued his strong fall campaign, finishing tied for sixth overall with an even-par 144. Garner opened with a one-under-par 71 before closing with a 73, giving Norman a second golfer among the tournament's top 10.
Senior Carter Cook added another impressive showing for the Tigers, finishing tied for 14th at 149 (+5). Cook improved three strokes between rounds, following an opening 76 with a second-round 73 to secure a top-15 finish.
Junior Maverick Beeson also made a move up the leaderboard, shaving five strokes off his opening round with a closing 73. Beeson finished tied for 17th at 151 (+7), giving Norman four golfers inside the top 20.
Freshman Charlie McClure continued gaining valuable experience against varsity competition, finishing tied for 19th with a 154 (+10). McClure opened with a 75, placing him among the Tigers' top performers in the first round.
Senior Keagan Hager followed with a consistent performance, posting matching rounds of 79. Sophomore Gus Everett improved three strokes in the second round, while freshman Easton Shuler recorded identical rounds of 82 in his 36-hole outing.
The Tigers also received contributions from sophomores Jens Beck and Gus Everett, along with seniors Jude Banks and junior Bennett Diehm, as Norman's roster gained another opportunity to compete against high-level varsity competition.
With programs including Broken Arrow, Union, Bixby, Stillwater, Edmond Memorial, Owasso and Oklahoma City Storm represented, the Fall Preview East provided a demanding test against some of the state's strongest competition.
Malone's dramatic playoff victory for second place capped an impressive showing for Norman, as four Tigers finished inside the top 20, including two in the top six.
The performance further underscored Norman's standing as one of the deepest programs in the state. A lineup loaded with experienced veterans and rising talent gives the Tigers plenty of firepower as they set their sights on the spring championship season.
Fight on, Tigers! Follow along on our socials here.
Comments