TUCSON, Ariz. – The San Diego State men's golf team finished in ninth place at the Arizona National Invitational Tournament after carding a collective 5-under-par 283 on Tuesday during the final round at the OMNI Tucson National Golf Club.
Despite posting a collective red figure for the second straight round, the Aztecs were unable to gain ground on the leaders, completing their fourth event of the spring with a 54-hole total of 10-under 854 on the par-72, 7,200-yard Catalina Course.
Arizona State, which captured the team championship at SDSU's own Lamkin San Diego Classic last week, cruised to another title on Tuesday after finishing at 50-under 814, while USC (-29) was a distant second, followed closely by Oklahoma (-28), Colorado State (-25) and Iowa State (-24).
Individually, the Aztecs were paced by Christian Banke (Danville, Calif.), who climbed seven places on the leaderboard into a tie for 23rd at 4-under 212 after shooting a final-round 70. The SDSU sophomore sank three birdies, including a successful drain on his finishing hole at the par-5 10th after making eagle on the par-5, 587-yard No. 8. However, three bogeys down the stretch on the sixth, seventh and ninth greens prevented a loftier perch.
In addition, Leo Oyo (Tokyo, Japan) remained in the same position where he started the day, tying for 37th at 1-under 215 on the heels of a 72. The Aztec freshman shook off a double bogey on his first hole at No. 10, recording three birdies and 13 pars against one additional bogey. Among his conversions was an impressive make on the par-3, 247-yard No. 7, which ranked as the most difficult hole of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Joey Moore (Billings, Mont.) matched Banke with a 70 to jump eight places into the 51st spot at 2-over 218. The SDSU freshman rebounded from an opening bogey on the par-4 No. 9 by notching a team-high six birdies, including three straight on his back nine. However, a bogey at No. 18 and another one on his finishing hole at the par-5 eighth precluded a steeper ascent.
Elsewhere, Puwit Anupansuebsai (Nakhon Phanom, Thailand) made a modest gain of his own, moving up five spots into 54th at 3-over 219 after shooting his second consecutive 71. The Aztec sophomore offset three bogeys with four birdies, including a successful drain on the par-4, 428-yard No. 16, which ranked as the fourth-toughest hole of the week.
Rounding out the Scarlet and Black delegation was Newport Laparojkit (Montebello, Calif.), who logged a final-round 77 to slip 16 places into a tie for 59th at 5-over 221. Despite four birdies, including three on his back nine, the SDSU junior was plagued by a rash of seven bogeys, as well as a double bogey on the par-3 fourth.
Arizona State's Alex del Rey (-17) shot a final-round 66 to claim medalist honors by one stroke over second-round leader Justin Suh of USC (-16), while fellow Sun Devil teammate Won Jun Lee (-15) landed in the third spot, followed by Jordan Sanders of North Texas (-12).
San Diego State returns to the fairways next week when it ventures to the Pacific Northwest for the Duck Invitational, March 25-26, at Emerald Valley Golf Club in Creswell, Ore.
Arizona NIT
Tucson, Ariz.
Final Results
OMNI Tucson National G.C.
Catalina Course
Par 72, 7,200 yards
Team Standings (Top 5 of 16 teams)
1. Arizona State...280-263-217—814 (-50)
2. USC...279-270-286—835 (-29)
3. Oklahoma...280-276-280—836 (-28)
4. Colorado State...280-281-278—839 (-25)
5. Iowa State...282-280-278—840 (-24)
---
9. San Diego State...289-282-283—854 (-10)
Individual Leaders (Top 5 of 84 players + SDSU)
1. Alex del Rey, Arizona State...69-64-66—199 (-17)
2. Justin Suh, USC...66-64-70—200 (-16)
3. Won Jun Lee, Arizona State...70-66-65—201 (-15)
4. Jordan Sanders, North Texas...70-62-69—204 (-12)
T5. Trevor Werbylo, Arizona...70-62-73—205 (-11)
T5. Chun An Yu, Arizona State...69-65-71—205 (-11)
---
T23. Christian Banke, SDSU...70-72-70—212 (-4)
T37. Leo Oyo, SDSU...73-70-72—215 (-1)
T51. Joey Moore, SDSU...71-77-70—218 (+2)
54. Puwit Anupansuebsai, SDSU...77-71-71—219 (+3)
T59. Newport Laparojkit, SDSU...75-69-77—221 (+5)