May 1, 2003
SUN RIVER, Ore. - San Diego State senior Lars Johansson fired a five-under-par 67 and is tied with Brigham Young's Ron Harvey for the individual lead after the first round of play at the Mountain West Conference men's golf championship, being held at Sun River Resort in Sun River, Ore.
As a team, the Aztecs are tied with Brigham Young in second place after shooting a seven-under 281. New Mexico's 276 tops the team race with the Lobos holding a five-shot lead over the Aztecs and the Cougars. The tournament continues with 18 holes on Friday and 18 more on Saturday.
"We played strong but we could have finished better," said San Diego State head coach Dale Walker. "The course did not play as tough as it could have played. Overall, I like where we are with 36 holes to play."
San Diego State's 281 is its best round ever in the four-year history of the Mountain West Conference and the best for the school in a league championship since opening the 1984 WAC Championship with a 281. The Aztecs have never finished higher than fourth in the league championship tournament since joining the Mountain West Conference for the 1999-2000 season.
Six of the eight league schools checked in under par at the conclusion of the first round. SDSU, at No. 29, is one of five Mountain West schools ranked among the nation's top 50 entering the tournament.
Standings After 18 Holes
New Mexico 276, San Diego State 281, Brigham Young 281, Wyoming 287, UNLV 287, Colorado State 287, Utah 290, Air Force 305
Individual Leaders
Fin. Name School Scores 1 Lars Johansson SanDiegoSt 30- 37 67 -5
Ron Harvey, Jr. BYU 31- 36 67 -5
3 Jay Choi New Mexico 33- 35 68 -4
Madalitso Muthiya New Mexico 33- 35 68 -4
5 Greg Machtaler BYU 34- 35 69 -3
Michael Letzig New Mexico 35- 34 69 -3
Nolan Martin Col. St. 34- 35 69 -3
Garrett Clegg Utah 33- 36 69 -3
9 Martin Laird Col. St. 35- 35 70 -2
Travis Whisman UNLV 35- 35 70 -2
Eric Baily Wyoming 36- 34 70 -2 Aaron Choi SanDiegoSt 36- 34 70 -2
J.C. Deacon UNLV 37- 33 70 -2
14 Jason Aichele Wyoming 36- 35 71 -1
Matthew Brunk Wyoming 35- 36 71 -1
Jay Reynolds New Mexico 35- 36 71 -1
17 John Lieber SanDiegoSt 36- 36 72 E
Oscar Alvarez BYU 35- 37 72 E
Brien Davis UNLV 35- 37 72 E
Mark Warman SanDiegoSt 35- 37 72 E
San Diego State Individual Results
T 2 San Diego State U. 281 T 1 Lars Johansson 30- 37 67
T 9 Aaron Choi 36- 34 70
T 17 John Lieber 36- 36 72
T 17 Mark Warman 35- 37 72
T 39 Brian Miller 38- 43 81