SDSU MEN'S GOLF FINISHES 13TH AT THE PRESTIGE

Aztec freshman Christian Banke ties for 33rd individually

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 21, 2018 (La Quinta, Calif.) - The San Diego State men's golf team concluded its second tournament of the spring in 13th place at The Prestige at PGA WEST after recording a 16-over-par 300 during the final round Wednesday on the par-71, 7,100-yard Greg Norman Course.

The Aztecs were unable to gain ground in the standings, finishing with a combined 33-over 601 after the 18th annual event was shortened to 36 holes due to high winds on Monday.

In his first varsity start since joining the squad at the semester break, Christian Banke (Danville, Calif.) was SDSU’s top finisher for the week despite slipping 20 places on the individual leaderboard. The Aztec freshman carded a final-round 76 to tie for 33rd at 5-over 147.

Starting at the 10th tee, Banke sank three birdies overall, including an impressive conversion just before the turn on the par-4, 461-yard 18th, which ranked as the fifth-toughest green of the tournament, followed by another drain on his finishing hole, the par-4, 359-yard No. 9. However, six bogeys and one double precipitated his drop.

Conversely, Blake Abercrombie (Rocklin, Calif.) made the biggest gain for the Scarlet and Black, vaulting 20 places into a tie for 46th at 8-over 150 after shooting a team-best 72 over the final 18 holes. The SDSU senior recorded three birdies of his own on the front nine to offset a bogey on his starting hole, the par-4, 415-yard No. 10, but another bogey at No. 1 just after the turn and a double-bogey at the par-3 seventh prevented a steeper ascent.

For the second day in a row, senior PJ Samiere (Kailua, Hawaii) and freshman Steve Sugimoto (San Diego, Calif.) each fired a 76 to finish the week in a tie for 57th at 10-over 152. 

After an inconsistent start, Samiere played steady golf on the back nine with eight pars against one bogey. Despite an earlier birdie at No. 12, however, double bogeys on holes No. 13 and No. 17 sandwiched around another bogey at the 14th green proved too much to overcome.

On the other hand, Sugimoto carded two birdies at No. 11 and No. 5, but experienced the misfortune of two double bogeys himself on the No. 16 and No. 7 greens, along with four additional bogeys, which stymied his round.

Rounding out the Aztec contingent was Puwit Anupansuebsai (Nakhon Phanom, Thailand), who tumbled five places into a tie for 71st at 13-over 155 courtesy of a final-round 77. After notching a double bogey and bogey on the 12th and 13th greens, the SDSU freshman carded two birdies and two pars on his next four holes, but five bogeys down the stretch thwarted his recovery.

Oklahoma State (-1) edged Pepperdine (E) for the team title, while Oregon (+3) took third, followed closely by LSU (+4) and Stanford (+5).

Individually, Pepperdine’s Clay Feagler shot a final-round 66 to capture medalist honors with a 7-under 135, while Oregon’s Norman Xiong (-6) finished one stroke behind in the runner-up spot, followed by LSU’s Luis Gagne (-4).

Up Next

San Diego State returns to the fairways next week when it travels to the San Fernando Valley to compete in the Southwestern Invitational Feb. 26-27 at North Ranch Country Club in Westlake Village, Calif.

The Prestige at PGA West

Final Results

Greg Norman Course

La Quinta, Calif.

Par 71, 7,100 yards

Team Standings (Top 5 of 16 teams + SDSU)

1. Oklahoma State                             283-284—567 (-1)

2. Pepperdine                                    285-283—568 (E)

3. Oregon                                           283-288—571 (+3)

4. LSU                                                  287-285—572 (+4)

5. Stanford                                         286-287—573 (+5)

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13. San Diego State                          301-300—601 (+33)

Individual Leaders (Top 6 of 84 players + SDSU)        

1. Clay Feagler, Pepperdine                                            69-66—135 (-7)  

2. Norman Xiong, Oregon                                               68-68—136 (-6)

3. Luis Gagne, LSU                                                           70-68—138 (-4)

T4. Justin Suh, USC                                                          71-69—140 (-2)

T4. Zach Bauchou, Oklahoma State                               70-70—140 (-2)

T4. Viktor Hovland, Oklahoma State                             69-71—140 (-2)                 

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T33. Christian Banke, SDSU                                           71-76—147 (+5)

T46. Blake Abercrombie, SDSU                                     78-72—150 (+8)

T57. PJ Samiere, SDSU                                                   76-76—152 (+10)

T57. Steve Sugimoto, SDSU                                           76-76—152 (+10)

T71. Puwit Anupansuebsai, SDSU                                 78-77—155 (+13)

Final results