NORMAN — Blaine Hale is just fine being the No. 5 golfer in Oklahoma's lineup this week at the NCAA Regional at Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club.
Hale is one of the Sooners' top golfers, but OU coach Ryan Hybl placed the junior from Dallas in that spot in order to play to Hale's strengths.
It worked perfectly Monday, as Hale carded a 5-under 67 to take a two-stroke lead after one round.
Hale is ahead of teammate Quade Cummins and Arkansas' Williams Buhl.
The Sooners, the defending NCAA champions, lead a trio of teams — Auburn, Arkansas and North Florida — by five strokes in the 54-hole event.