Feb. 29, 2016
Live Results | Day One PDF Results
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. -- San Diego State junior Nahum Mendoza III (San Diego, Calif.) fired a 5-under par 139 on Monday to lead the 20th-ranked Aztec men's golf team during the first two rounds of the Southwestern Jones Invitational at North Ranch Country Club. The SDSU junior posted cards of 70 and 69 to complete the opening day of competition in fifth place heading into Tuesday's final round.
As a team, the Aztecs occupy the third position in the standings after shooting a combined 4-over 580 on the par-72, 6,992-yard course layout. SDSU followed an opening-round 288 with a 292 in the afternoon to finish one stroke ahead of fourth-place Oregon (+5) after 36 holes and nine shots ahead of fifth-place Fresno State (+13).
With all five starters among the top 15 individuals, USC (-24) bulldozed its way to a commanding 13-stroke advantage over tournament host Pepperdine (-11) after recording a brisk 552 on rounds of 280-272. The Trojans' Jonah Texeira carded an 8-under 136 to grab a slim one-shot advantage on the leaderboard over fellow teammate Sean Crocker (-7) and Alex Chiarella of San Diego (-7), while Pepperdine's Sahith Theegala (-6) sits in fourth followed closely by the Aztecs' Mendoza (-5).
Mendoza led the field with 13 birdies overall, including four on his five holes of the opening round. The Francis Parker High alumnus also added six conversions in the afternoon, featuring a pair of successful putts on the par-5 No. 5 and the par-3 No. 8, which ranked as the second- and sixth-toughest holes, respectively, on Monday.
Elsewhere, SDSU seniors Riccardo Michelini (Carpi, Italy) and Ryann Ree (Redondo Beach, Calif.) landed in a tie for 16th after logging identical scores of 1-over 145. Michelini made eagle on the par-5, 493-yard No. 6 to highlight an opening-round 71, but slipped four places on the leaderboard after shooting a 74 in the afternoon. Despite four additional birdies, the Aztec captain was unable to ease the sting of six bogeys, including four on the back nine.
Conversely, Ree displayed more consistency on Monday, recording a team-best 26 pars to finish with rounds of 72-73. The reigning Mountain West Men's Golfer of the Week drained five birdies on the day, including back-to-back makes on holes 12 and 13 in round two. However, four bogeys overall, as well as a double-bogey in the afternoon on the par-3 No. 3, prevented a higher placement on the leaderboard.
The Aztec contingent also included two players making their first varsity appearances this spring in PJ Samiere (Kailua, Hawaii) and Blake Abercrombie (Rocklin, Calif.). Samiere ended the day in a four-way tie for 47th after carding consecutive 76s. The SDSU sophomore sank five birdies overall, including three straight on holes 6-8 in the afternoon session, but a double-bogey in each round derailed his momentum.
Meanwhile, fellow classmate Abercrombie completed the first 36 holes in a tie for 54th after posting a collective 10-over 144 on rounds of 75-79. Abercrombie's day was highlighted by a birdie and 14 pars in round one.
The Southwestern Jones Invitational concludes on Tuesday when the Aztecs tee off alongside USC and Pepperdine for the final round, beginning at 9 a.m. PT on hole No. 1.
Southwestern Jones Invitational
Day One Results
North Ranch C.C.
Westlake Village, Calif.
Par 72, 6,992 yards
Team Scores (Top 5 of 15 schools)
1. USC ... 280-272--552 (-24)
2. Pepperdine ... 285-280--565 (-11)
3. San Diego State ... 288-292--580 (+4)
4. Oregon ... 291-290--581 (+5)
5. Fresno State ... 291-298--589 (+13)
Individual Leaders (Top 5 of 80 players + SDSU)
1. Jonah Texeira, USC ... 69-67--136 (-8)
T2. Sean Crocker, USC ... 69-68--137 (-7)
T2. Alex Chiarella, San Diego ... 67-70--137 (-7)
4. Sahith Theegala, Pepperdine ... 70-68--138 (-6)
5. Nahum Mendoza III, SDSU ... 70-69--139 (-5)
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T16. Ryann Ree, SDSU ... 72-73--145 (+1)
T16. Riccardo Michelini, SDSU ... 71-74--145 (+1)
T47. PJ Samiere, SDSU ... 76-76--152 (+8)
T54. Blake Abercrombie, SDSU ... 75-79--154 (+10)