May 29, 2002
Partial First Round Results in PDF Format
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COLUMBUS, Ohio - San Diego State's Mark Warman opened the 2002 NCAA Men's golf championship on fire, carding birdies on his first three holes en route to a 4-under-par 67 during the first round of the 2002 NCAA Men's Golf Championships Wednesday.
One of six individuals in the field and the lone Aztec, Warman is tied for third place after a rain-shortened first round that saw play suspended at 4:26 p.m. (EST) due to heavy rains. The morning wave of 15 teams and three individuals finished on schedule despite scattered showers. However, the afternoon's draw of 15 teams and three individuals were forced off The Ohio State University Scarlet Course (par 71; 7,236 yards) due to the inclement weather.
Donnie Wagner, the NCAA's liaison for the men's golf championship, said the condition of the course prompted the end of first round play and was unable to confirm a start time for the completion of the opening round nor the start of the second round.
"The bunkers are under water right now which causes a problem," Wagner said. "We're going to start tomorrow morning. We're not sure when, though. The committee will discuss tonight how tomorrow will run."
Still, the unstable weather did not affect Warman's round. Taking to the links at approximately 8:45 a.m. (EDT) on the No. 10 hole, the sophomore opened with birdie, birdie on the par-4 10th and 11th before completing the triple play with a birdie on the par-5 12th. Warman then played even par over the next nine holes before carding his fourth birdie of the day on the par-5 No. 4.
"I got off to a great start by birdieing my first three holes and just had a solid golf day after that," Warman said. "I did not miss many fairways and when I did I was not that far off.
"My expectations were to play the best that I can and that is all that I could expect of myself coming into this tournament."
Warman is slated for a 1:48 p.m. (EDT) tee time from the first hole for Thursday's second round. However, it is currently unclear whether the first round and the second round's morning wave will be completed in time for the afternoon parings to start on time, making it likely that tee times will be pushed back.
Following the conclusion of the opening 36 holes of play, the field will be paired with the low 15 teams and six individuals not on one of those teams advancing to the third and fourth rounds.