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Aztec senior P.J. Samiere tied for third individually after 36 holes
Source: goaztecs.com
Photo: P.J. Samiere led the Aztecs with a pair of 66s on Monday at the Alister MacKenzie Invitational. Courtesy goaztecs.com
October 9, 2017 (Fairfax, Calif.) - The San Diego State men's golf team finds itself in second place after posting a collective 22-under-par 546 in the first two rounds of the Alister MacKenzie Invitational Monday at the exclusive Meadow Club.
The Aztecs registered back-to-back cards of 273, highlighted by a tournament-high 52 birdies and four eagles, to finish the day seven shots behind host California (-29) heading into Tuesday’s final round on the par-71, 6,734-yard layout. Santa Clara (-20) occupies the third spot two strokes behind SDSU, while Arizona State (-18) and Nevada (-17) round out the top five.
Individually, P.J. Samiere (Kailua, Hawaii) climbed into third place at 10-under 132 thanks to a pair of 66s. The Aztec senior sank 12 birdies overall against just two bogeys to became the first SDSU player this season to record consecutive rounds below 70. Among his conversions was an impressive drain in the afternoon on the par-4, 464-yard No. 9, which ranked as the second-toughest hole of the day.
With his results, Samiere remains just three strokes off the pace along with Hayden Shieh of Santa Clara, while Cal’s K.K. Limbhasut (-13) vaulted to the top of the leaderboard after firing rounds of 64-65, followed closely by San José State’s Kevin Velo.
In addition, Blake Abercrombie (Rocklin, Calif.) finds himself in logjam with nine other golfers for ninth place at 6-under 136 on rounds of 66-70. The Aztec senior offset a double bogey at No. 9 in the morning session with five birdies to go with an eagle on the par-5, 506-yard 15th. Abercrombie drained five more birdies in round two, but four bogeys stymied his momentum.
Trevor Norby (Carlsbad, Calif.) also recorded an eagle in the opening round on the par-4, 378-yard No. 10 while adding four birdies. However, the SDSU sophomore was saddled with an even-par 71 after suffering a rash of four bogeys and a double bogey. Stung, the San Marcos High product regrouped in the afternoon with a vengeance, sinking seven birdies against three bogeys en route to a collegiate-best 67. With his totals, Norby remains in a tie for 19th at 4-under 138.
Elsewhere, Puwit Anupansuebsai (Nakhon Phanom, Thailand) ended the day in a tie for 30th at 1-under 141 after shooting rounds of 70-71. The Aztec freshman countered five bogeys in the morning with four birdies as well as an eagle on the par-5, 543-yard 13th. Anupansuebsai collected five additional birdies in the second round, but three bogeys and a double-bogey on the par-4 No. 2 prevented a loftier perch.
The SDSU starting lineup also included Eric Ghim (Glendale, Ariz.), who landed in the 46th position after 36 holes with a 2-over 144 on rounds of 74-70. The Aztec sophomore drained 10 birdies overall, including seven in the afternoon to go along with an eagle on the par-5, 492-yard No. 1. Despite climbing 15 places on the leaderboard, Ghim’s ascent was slowed by inconsistency as evidenced by three bogeys, one double bogey and a triple on the par-4 sixth.
Rounding out the SDSU delegation was Pablo Matesanz (Irun, Spain), who finished the first 36 holes in a tie for 26th at 2-under 140 on rounds of 69-71. The Aztec senior compiled nine birdies overall, including two drains on the par-4, 454-yard No. 6, which ranked as the toughest green of the second round and third-most difficult on Monday.
San Diego State wraps up play at the Alister MacKenzie Invitational on Tuesday when it tees off alongside California, Arizona State and Santa Clara on hole No. 1, beginning at 8:25 a.m. PT.
Alister MacKenzie Invitational
Day One Results
Meadow Club
Fairfax, Calif.
Par 71, 6,734 yards
Team Standings (Top 5 of 16 teams)
1. California 267-272—539 (-29)
2. San Diego State 273-273—546 (-22)
3. Santa Clara 274-274—548 (-20)
4. Arizona State 269-281—550 (-18)
5. Nevada 271-280—586 (-17)
Individual Leaders (Top 5 of 88 players + SDSU)
1. K.K. Limbhasut, California 64-65—129 (-13)
2. Kevin Velo, San José State 65-65—130 (-12)
T3. P.J. Samiere, SDSU 66-66—132 (-10)
T3. Hayden Shieh, Santa Clara 67-65—132 (-10)
5. Paul Chaplet, Arizona State 65-68—133 (-9)
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T9. Blake Abercrombie, SDSU 66-70—136 (-6)
T19. Trevor Norby, SDSU 71-67—138 (-4)
T26. Pablo Matesanz, SDSU^ 69-71—140 (-2)
T30. Puwit Anupansuebsai, SDSU 70-71—141 (-1)
T46. Eric Ghim, SDSU 74-70—144 (+2)
^ - Competing as an individual
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