Blake Maum of BaylorThere are quick-loss diets, but few can shave 22 in seven days.
In this case, it's not about pounds -- it's about strokes.
Baylor senior Blake Maum shot a 4-under-par 68 Monday in the first round of the Division II-AA state tournament at Willowbrook Golf Course. That's 22 strokes better than he shot one week earlier in the East/Middle Regional.
His change helped the Red Raiders surge into a 13-shot lead over second-place McCallie with one round to go.
"I went through a grip change and I was never comfortable, and I didn't know where the ball was going," said Maum, who has a four-shot individual lead. "Today, I went back to my old habit, my old putter, and everything felt good."
The Red Raiders shot a 3-over 291. Memphis University School is third at 306, and Briarcrest is at 310.
"We played really smart," Baylor coach Gary Partrick said. "I think we played really loose because we were the sixth seed and had nothing to lose. There was no pressure on us today."
McCallie's Blue Tornado faced pressure Monday. After all, they're the defending state champions. But they need to make up 14 strokes to repeat.
"If we make up half of the difference, maybe Baylor makes up half of it for us," McCallie coach Tony Meyers said. "If we break it up little by little, like one and a half shots per nine, I'm hoping to have a chance."
Partrick's Baylor girls shot a 2-over 146 to lead by three shots over Ensworth, which last year broke the Lady Red Raiders' streak of 16 state titles.
"It's becoming a really good rivalry," Partrick said. "You can't get much closer than our two teams. We're evenly matched."
Baylor junior Blakesly Warren fired an even-par 72, which has her one shot off the lead and tied for second, and Lauren Johnson shot 74. GPS freshman Mary Melissa Manuel is in 10th place at 82.
St. Andrew's-Sewanee senior Jenna Burris shot 75 and is one stroke off the lead in the Division II-A medalist race, behind Nicole Page of Franklin Road Academy.
Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.