University of Washington
Oregon Duck Invitational
No. 13 UW Just Three Back At Duck Invitational
March 24, 2015 | Men's Golf
Live Scoring
EUGENE, Ore. – On a cold, wet day at the Eugene Country Club, No. 13 Washington handled the conditions well and is just three shots off the lead entering Tuesday's final round of the Duck Invitational.
“It was just a brutal day,” said head coach Matt Thurmond. “You have to respect anyone that could even finish 36 holes on a day like today. Our guys were really tough out there and I'm proud of the way they battled.”
The Dawgs were consistent, despite the tough conditions, firing rounds of 2-over 290 and 4-over 292 to get to 6-over 582 for the tournament. No. 4 Arizona State leads at 3-over after an opening round of even-par 288, followed by a 3-over 291. The Dawgs and Sun Devils are clear of most of the field with Oregon State and San Diego State tied for third at 19-over. Utah and host No. 8 Oregon are tied for fifth at 20-over.
“Some days are more about what kind of competitor you are and not what kind of golfer you are,” said Thurmond. “We competed well today and have another shot at tomorrow.”
Washington got steady play throughout the team, even overcoming a poor opening round from leader and top-ranked individual Cheng-Tsung Pan. The senior shot an uncharacteristic 3-over 75 in the morning and had his score thrown out as his teammates picked him up.
Junior Jonathan Sanders was the Dawgs top player on Monday, opening with a round of even-par 72, before matching the best round of the afternoon, a 1-under 71, to get to 1-under for the tournament. Sanders is currently tied for second, just one shot off the lead set by John Rahm of Arizona State who is at 2-under. Sanders made eight birdies on the day and did not make worse than bogey as he looks for his first win of the season, after winning twice last year.
Despite Pan's poor first round, the senior bounced back with a 1-under 71 in the afternoon to climb to a tie for 11th after 36 holes. Pan was at 5-over through 13 holes of the first round, but closed with two birdies, followed by playing the afternoon with two birdies and just a single bogey. He is now just four shots off the lead and should not be counted out as he tries to win for the fourth time this season.
Also in that same tie for 11th is freshman Frank Garber who came up huge in the morning, helping overcome Pan's round. Garber shot a 2-under 70 to open the day and was tied for the lead after one round. He backed that up with a 4-over 76 to drop back to the tie for 11th, but is still in good position for his second top-10 as a collegiate player.
Coming off a win in his last start, Corey Pereira was solid with a pair of 2-over 74's. The sophomore had his score used both rounds, despite never really finding the form that got him in the winner's circle at the Lamkin San Diego Classic. He made two birdies and four bogeys in both rounds and will enter Tuesday tied for 15th.
Freshman Jordan Lu rounded out the Husky squad after rounds of 2-over 74 and 4-over 76. He is currently tied for 28th after contributing to his team on a tough first round of the Duck Invitational.
Junior Chris Babcock is in that same tie for 28th, playing as an individual. He struggled in the morning with a round of 7-over 79, but bounced back with a brilliant 1-under 71 that included two birdies and just one bogey.
Tuesday will mark the final round of the Duck Invitational as the Huskies look to make up the three strokes and win for second-straight tournament. Tee times are all set for 8:30 a.m. as part of a shotgun start with the Dawgs playing off the first four holes with Arizona State, Oregon State and San Diego State.
Players Mentioned
