March 18, 2002
RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. - The 17th-ranked San Diego State men's golf team blew away the field during the opening 36 holes of the USD Invitational Monday, carding a combined 11-over par team total of 587 on a Del Mar Country Club course that played tougher than expected.
SDSU, which is looking for its third straight tournament victory of the spring, was the only team to break 300 during both rounds and leads second place Denver (25-over 601) by 14 strokes. Western Kentucky rounded out the top three spots at 29-over 605.
"We played well today on what turned out to be a very tough course," said SDSU head coach Dale Walker. "I am pleased that we put ourselves in position for another victory."
The Aztecs had three individuals complete Monday's play in the top 10, including sophomore Mark Warman, the only player to finish the opening 36 holes below par. He sits atop the individual leaderboard at 3-under 141 and posted the best round of the day during the morning session carding a 4-under 68. Junior John Lieber heads into Tuesday's third and final round in fifth at 3-over 147, with junior Lars Johansson just one stroke back at 4-over 148.
Senior Scott Henderson and junior Chris Galeski both shot 7-over 151, while senior Brandon Kearney finished up at 9-over 153.
The Aztecs wrap up play at the USD Invitational with an 8 a.m. shotgun start on Tuesday at the Del Mar Country club.
Men's College Golf
USD Invitational
Del Mar Country Club
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
Par: 72, Yardage: 6,950
Team Scores (36 Holes)
1. San Diego St. (587), 2. Denver (601), 3. Western Kentucky (605), 4. Mississippi St. (607), 5. Yale (608), 6. Rice (610), 7. Nebraska (612), 8. San Diego (618), 9. Portland (630), 10. Loyola Marymount, Connecticut (631), 12. San Francisco (638), 13. Utah (640), 14. CS Northridge, Southern Utah (647), 15. Dartmouth (661), 16. Gonzaga (666).
Top-5 Individuals
1. Mark Warman, SDSU (141), 2. Tony Giarrantano, Den. (145), 3. Blake Humbles, Neb., Tommy Hart, Den. (146), 5. John Lieber, SDSU (147).
Other SDSU Individuals
Lars Johansson (148), Scott Henderson (151), Chris Galeski* (151), Brandon Kearney (153).
*Playing as an individual.