Wrangler NFR Round 8: Ty Harris Slips to Fourth in PRCA with Two Rounds Remaining

In a crucial night that could have allowed him to gain ground, Ty Harris faced disappointment as he failed to rope his calf for the third time during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on Thursday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

As three cowboys tied for the lead with impressive 7.5-second times, Harris, along with three others, recorded no-times in Round 8.

With only two rounds left in the competition, this setback has cost first-time NFR participant Harris another spot in the PRCA world standings. After making a remarkable ascent to second place in the standings with consecutive round wins on Monday and Tuesday, the cowboy from San Angelo now finds himself in fourth place in yearly earnings.

The ninth and tenth rounds are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, where Harris is determined to close the gap on world leader Shane Hanchey and Riley Pruitt, who have maintained their second-place positions globally after tying with Cooper Martin and Tyler Milligan for the 8th-round belt buckle.

Pruitt, hailing from Gehring, Nebraska, has consistently finished no lower than fourth place in the last five rounds, including three consecutive runner-up finishes. Each of the winners on Thursday walked away with a prize of $20,871.79.

Hanchey, representing Sulphur, Louisiana, experienced another stroke of bad luck for the second consecutive night on Thursday, narrowly missing the top 6 spots and any prize money that could have extended his lead.

Hanchey’s total earnings stand at $209,927.69, while Pruitt has amassed $203,599.31. Milligan, from Pawhuska, Oklahoma, has secured $186,307.36 in earnings, while Harris currently holds $173,437.91.

Haven Meged, hailing from Miles City, Montana, and Tuf Cooper of Decatur, maintain their positions at first and second in the average time standings.

Michael Otero, the Weatherford cowboy and 2019 San Angelo Rodeo champion, secured sixth place on Thursday with a time of 8.40.

The Wrangler NFR is broadcast on CBS Sports Network, with the coverage starting at 9 p.m.

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