High Noon Highlights(5/3): Oklahoma State’s Viktor Hovland, Matthew Wolff named Ben Hogan Award finalists

It’s high noon and it’s Friday...

Two Cowboys are finalist for college golf’s highest award:

How often do you see two athletes from the same program be up for their sports highest honor? The Cowboys will have that this year as Viktor Hovland and Matthew Wolff were named as finalist for the Ben Hogan Award on Thursday. Collin Morikawa of Cal is the third finalist. Kevin Tway and Peter Uihlein were the last OSU duo named finalists in 2011, when the latter became the fifth Cowboy to win the award.

This year’s award will be presented May 20 at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

What Victor Hovland learned at the Masters:

After winning low amateur at the Masters last month Viktor Hovland caught up with the Golf Channel in between his classes about what playing on Golf’s biggest stage taught him and how it’s preparing him for the NCAA’s.

“It showed me I can compete with these guys,” Hovland told me between classes this week. “The bigger lesson for me is that I was able to see that and realize my game is not that far off. That was my biggest take away for the week.” {Golf Channel}

Rylee Bayless has learned perspective this year:

Rylee Bayless plays a huge role for OSU softball and she’s overcome adversity to do so. An ACL tear put her senior season on hold last year, but the season wasn’t a complete loss as she was able to grow off the field.

“I grew a lot, not just as a player, but as a person,” Bayless said. “I learned a lot sitting out, and I was really surprised about it.

“I grew up a lot mentally. Obviously, I still get pretty wild, but I can control it now.”

Bayless is still an emotional player. In fact, it’s one of her most valuable qualities.

“She gives us so much energy,” sophomore Michaela Richbourg said. “She’s really smart. She starts us off getting on base. As soon as she gets going, it’s hard for us not to.” {The Oklahoman}

Around the Big 12:

State of the Big 12

Carter boys adds 2020 O-lineman

Why ISU’s lack of first round picks isn’t a concern

Song of the Day: