University of Washington
NCAA Regionals at Gold Mountain
Dawgs T-4th At NCAA Bremerton Regional
May 14, 2015 | Men's Golf
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BREMERTON, Wash. – No. 12 Washington sits in a tie for fourth place after the first round of the NCAA Bremerton Regional at Gold Mountain Golf Club. The Dawgs got a stellar round from Cheng-Tsung Pan, but had to keep a high final score to fall seven shots off the lead.
The Huskies finished the day at 1-under 287, but trail the top three teams are tightly bunched at the top.
“Pan played great today and really kept us in it,” said head coach Matt Thurmond. “We are playing to win to win this thing so he really came through to save us today.”
No. 30 UAB took the first round lead at 8-under 280, one shot better than No. 31 TCU and No. 17 USC who are tied for second at 7-under. Washington is tied with No. 43 Iowa State in fourth for what would be the final two spots to qualify through to the NCAA Finals.
The top-five teams at this week's regional will advance to the Finals in Bradenton, Fla., at the end of the month. The spots are long from decided as No. 6 and top-seeded South Carolina is just one shot back of UW. UC Davis (+2), Michigan (+4), Pepperdine (+4) and No. 18 Baylor (+5) are also still in the mix.
“All in all it wasn't a great day for us,” said Thurmond. “We've still got time, though.”
Sean Crocker of USC took the individual lead after round one by birdying the final six holes. He was even par through 13, before reeling off an impressive run of birdies.
Pan led the Dawgs at 5-under 67 and is just one shot back of the lead. He tied with Paul Dunne of UAB and Kevin DeHuff of Pepperdine for second place. Pan's round did not include a bogey until the 18th hole. He made six birdies and had a birdie putt on 18 to shoot 65 to tie the course record, but instead three-putted. Still, his 67 puts him in good position to contend for his eighth career win, which would be his second regional title and third time winning at Gold Mountain.
“Pan is playing great,” said Thurmond. “All parts of his game are solid right now and most importantly his mind is right.”
The Dawgs also got solid play from Corey Pereira and Jonathan Sanders. Pereira finished in red figures, shooting 1-under 71 and is currently tied for 14th. He made three birdies and two bogeys on the day, including a late three on the par-4 17th to get his round under par.
Sanders also played well, finishing at even-par 72 and is tied for 22nd. The junior that won the Regional last season in Raleigh made four birdies and four bogeys on the day. After starting 2-under, Sanders bogeyed 7,8, 10 and 11 to go to 2-over, but came back to make two more birdies and finish even.
The final score kept was a 5-over 77, shot by both freshmen, Frank Garber and Jordan Lu. Garber struggled over the front nine, playing it in 5-over 41, but got things together on the back, making two birdies and playing it in even. Lu birdied the par-four second, but that would be his only of the day.
“The two freshmen didn't do well and are disappointed,” said Thurmond. “We are still fine though after just one round.”
The Dawgs will be back at it on Friday for the second round at Gold Mountain. The Huskies will tee off beginning at 8:20 a.m. of No. 1, playing with Iowa State and South Carolina.
Players Mentioned
