Ruiz, Chen lift Houston to sixth-place finish in Jackson T. Stephens Cup

Houston men’s golf officially opened the coach Andrew Danna era by finishing sixth with a team score of 897 at the Jackson T. Stephens Cup Wednesday in Frisco.

Junior Sacha Ruiz, who followed Danna in the transfer portal from Florida Gulf Coast, made his Houston debut, posting a 4-under 68 in the opening round. On day two, Ruiz led the Cougars with a 54-hole total of 147, tying for 13th. 

Senior Chi Chun Chen led the squad in the final round with a 73. Chen scored three birdies, including two in his first nine, and tied for 18^th at 151. 

Juniors Hsuan-Yi Chen and FGCU transfer Brett Moore tied for 20^th and 35^th, scoring 149 and 157, all respectively. Senior Grant Doggett tied for 31^st at 154.  

Texas would claim the Jackson T. Stephens Cup as a team, defeating Texas A&M.  

Up next, the Cougars will head to Twin Warriors Golf Club in Pueblo, N.M. for the NB3 Matchplay Sept. 29-30.