March 10, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. -
San Diego State junior David Palm fired back-to-back rounds of 68 on Monday to lead the Aztec men's golf team during the first two rounds of the Fresno State Lexus Classic. Palm was one of three SDSU golfers to finish the day among the top 10 on the individual leaderboard as the Scarlet and Black shot a combined 24-under-par 552 to grab a six-shot lead over second-place Texas (-18) in the team standings at the 6,729-yard, par-72 Fort Washington Country Club.
In just his second start of the spring, Palm posted consecutive rounds in the 60s for the first time as an Aztec after sinking nine birdies on the day. The Landevetter, Sweden, native played bogey-free golf in the morning and had just one blemish on his scorecard over the second 18 holes en route to an 8-under 136. With his performance, Palm sits just two shots out of the lead behind Long Beach State's Issei Suenaga (-10), who is competing as an individual.
Hot on the heels of Palm is freshman Matt Hoffenberg, who walked off the course in third place on Monday after carding a 7-under 137 on rounds of 69-68. The Simi Valley, Calif., product had his putter working as well, recording a team-high 11 birdies to complete his fourth and fifth straight rounds of the spring below par.
Meanwhile, senior Aaron Goldberg settled into a tie with four other golfers for the seventh position at 5-under 139. After maintaining a share of the lead with an opening-round 67, the La Costa Canyon High alumnus had his momentum sapped by three bogeys en route to a 72 during the afternoon. Nevertheless, Goldberg still finds himself in contention heading into Tuesday's final round along with freshman Johan Carlsson, who fired a 4-under 140 to finish in a four-way tie for the 11th spot. After recording an eagle on his very first hole, the Gothenburg, Sweden, native was able to offset five bogeys with seven birdies on the day to remain just six shots off the pace.
Rounding out the Aztec delegation was senior Chad Moscovic (Stockton, Calif.), who completed the first two rounds in a tie for 65th after shooting a 4-over 148.
The Fresno State Lexus Classic resumes on Tuesday with third-round action as the Aztecs are scheduled to tee off in the final group with players from California, Texas and TCU beginning at 9:40 a.m. PDT.
Fresno State Lexus Classic At Fresno, Calif. Fort Washington Country Club (6,729 yards, par 72)
Second Round Team Standings (Top 10)1. San Diego State 275-277 - 552 (-24)2. Texas 282-276 - 558 (-18)3. California 287-278 - 565 (-11)4. TCU 288-282 - 570 (-6)5. Oregon 286-285 - 571 (-5)6. Nevada 283-289 - 572 (-4)T7. Boise State 295-281 - 576 (E)T7. Portland 291-285 - 576 (E)T9. CS Northridge 286-291 - 577 (+1)T9. Loyola Marymount 287-290 - 577 (+1)
Second Round Leaders (Top 10 + SDSU)1. Issei Suenaga, Long Beach State 67-67 - 134 (-10)2. David Palm, SDSU 68-68 - 136 (-8)3. Matt Hoffenberg, SDSU 69-68 - 137 (-7)T4. Charlie Holland, Texas 70-68 - 138 (-6)T4. Bobby Hudson, Texas 73-65 - 138 (-6)T4. Lance Lopez, Texas 68-70 - 138 (-6)T7. Aaron Goldberg, SDSU 67-72 - 139 (-5)T7. George Gandranta, California 73-66 - 139 (-5)T7. Jordan Woolf, TCU 71-68 - 139 (-5)T7. Travis Woolf, TCU 69-70 - 139 (-5)T11. Johan Carlsson, SDSU 71-69 - 140 (-4)T65. Chad Moscovic, SDSU 74-74 - 148 (+4)