SDSU MEN'S GOLF TAKES NINTH AT ARIZONA NIT

Aztec sophomore Christian Banke ties for 23rd individually

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

March 19, 2019 (Tuscon) - The San Diego State men’s golf team finished in ninth place at the Arizona National Invitational Tournament after carding a collective 5-under-par 283 on Tuesday during the final round at the OMNI Tucson National Golf Club.

Despite posting a collective red figure for the second straight round, the Aztecs were unable to gain ground on the leaders, completing their fourth event of the spring with a 54-hole total of 10-under 854 on the par-72, 7,200-yard Catalina Course.

Arizona State, which captured the team championship at SDSU’s own Lamkin San Diego Classic last week, cruised to another title on Tuesday after finishing at 50-under 814, while USC (-29) was a distant second, followed closely by Oklahoma (-28), Colorado State (-25) and Iowa State (-24).

Individually, the Aztecs were paced by Christian Banke (Danville, Calif.), who climbed seven places on the leaderboard into a tie for 23rd at 4-under 212 after shooting a final-round 70. The SDSU sophomore sank three birdies, including a successful drain on his finishing hole at the par-5 10th after making eagle on the par-5, 587-yard No. 8.  However, three bogeys down the stretch on the sixth, seventh and ninth greens prevented a loftier perch.

In addition, Leo Oyo (Tokyo, Japan) remained in the same position where he started the day, tying for 37th at 1-under 215 on the heels of a 72. The Aztec freshman shook off a double bogey on his first hole at No. 10, recording three birdies and 13 pars against one additional bogey. Among his conversions was an impressive make on the par-3, 247-yard No. 7, which ranked as the most difficult holes of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Joey Moore (Billings, Mont.) matched Banke with a 70 to jump eight places into the 51st spot at 2-over 218. The SDSU freshman rebounded from an opening bogey on the par-4 No. 9 by notching a team-high six birdies, including three straight on his back nine. However, a bogey at No. 18 and another one on his finishing hole at the par-5 eighth precluded a steeper ascent.

Elsewhere, Puwit Anupansuebsai (Nakhon Phanom, Thailand) made a modest gain of his own, moving up five spots into 54th at 3-over 219 after shooting his second consecutive 71. The Aztec sophomore offset three bogeys with four birdies, including a successful drain on the par-4, 428-yard No. 16, which ranked as the fourth-toughest hole of the week.

Rounding out the Scarlet and Black delegation was Newport Laparojkit (Montebello, Calif.), who logged a final-round 77 to slip 16 places into a tie for 59th at 5-over 221. Despite four birdies, including three on his back nine, the SDSU junior was plagued by a rash of seven bogeys, as well as a double bogey on the par-3 fourth.

Arizona State’s Alex del Rey (-17) shot a final-round 66 to claim medalist honors by one stroke over second-round leader Justin Suh of USC (-16), while fellow Sun Devil teammate Won Jun Lee (-15) landed in the third spot, followed by Jordan Sanders of North Texas (-12).

San Diego State returns to the fairways next week when it ventures to the Pacific Northwest for the Duck Invitational March 25-26 at Emerald Valley Golf Club in Creswell, Ore.

Arizona NIT

Tucson, Ariz.

Final Results

OMNI Tucson National G.C.

Catalina Course

Par 72, 7,200 yards

Team Standings (Top 5 of 16 teams)

1. Arizona State                         280-263-217—814 (-50)

2. USC                                      279-270-286—835 (-29)

3. Oklahoma                            280-276-280—836 (-28)

4. Colorado State                      280-281-278—839 (-25)

5. Iowa State                            282-280-278—840 (-24)

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9. San Diego State           289-282-283—854 (-10)

Individual Leaders (Top 6 of 84 players + SDSU)       

1. Alex del Rey, Arizona State                   69-64-66—199 (-17)

2. Justin Suh, USC                                     66-64-70—200 (-16)

3. Won Jun Lee, Arizona State                   70-66-65—201 (-15)

4. Jordan Sanders, North Texas                 70-62-69—204 (-12)

T5. Trevor Werbylo, Arizona                     70-62-73—205 (-11)

T5. Chun An Yu, Arizona State                   69-65-71—205 (-11)

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T23. Christian Banke, SDSU                    70-72-70—212 (-4)

T37. Leo Oyo, SDSU                               73-70-72—215 (-1)

T51. Joey Moore, SDSU                          71-77-70—218 (+2)

54. Puwit Anupansuebsai, SDSU              77-71-71—219 (+3)

T59. Newport Laparojkit, SDSU               75-69-77—221 (+5)

Final results