Tyler Kowack Tied for Fourth after First Round of Southern Highlands Collegiate

LAS VEGAS -- Junior Tyler Kowack (San Diego/Canyon Crest Academy) fired a 1-under-par 71 and is in a tie for fourth place out of 84 golfers to pace the San Diego State men’s golf team on the first day of the Southern Highlands Collegiate Sunday in Las Vegas.

Kowack was one of only five golfers to shoot under par in Sunday’s first round and is tied with Auburn’s Carson Bacha at -1. Kowack only trails UNLV’s Caden Fioroni (-5), Arizona’s Josiah Gilbert (-2) and Pepperdine’s William Walsh (-2). Kowack sank three birdies on the day and had two bogeys.

In a 15-team field that includes 13 programs in the top-50 of the latest NCAA computer rankings, the No. 22 Aztecs are tied with No. 16 Georgia Tech in eighth at 15-over 303. No. 2 Auburn is the only team under par at -1, while host and No. 31 UNLV (+2), No. 24 Pepperdine (+7), New Mexico (+7), No. 9 Virginia (+9), No. 12 Illinois (+14) and No. 26 Texas A&M (+14) are the only schools ahead of SDSU. Rounding out the field are No. 4 Oklahoma (+19), No. 11 Florida (+19), and No. 50 USC (+19) in 10th, No. 30 Georgia (13th, +23), Washington (14th, +24) and No. 18 SMU (15th, +29).

Junior Chanachon Chokprajakchat (Bangkok, Thailand) and sophomore Dylan Oyama (Carlsbad, Calif./Pacific Ridge HS) are each tied for 41st after shooting 77s today. Chokprajakchat logged a birdie on the par-5, 620-yard third, which as offset by four bogeys and a double bogey, which all occurred in a five-hole stretch in the middle of the round. He rebounded with seven consecutive pars to close the day. Oyama did not record a birdie, while bogeying three holes and double bogeying the par-3, 214-yard 17th hole.

Freshman Harry Takis (Brisbane, Australia) carded a 6-over 78 and is tied for 51st. Takis was unable to birdie a hole, and bogeyed four holes with a double bogey coming on the par-4, 440-yard seventh hole.

Senior Shea Lague (Jamul, Calif./Steele Canyon HS) shot an 83 and is tied for 79th.

Monday’s second round begins at 9 a.m. PT.

Southern Highlands Collegiate
Day One Results - March 2, 2025
Southern Highlands Golf Club - Las Vegas, Nevada
Par 72, 7,510 Yards

Team Standings
1. No. 2 Auburn…287 (-1)
2. No. 31 UNLV…290 (+2)
T3. No. 24 Pepperdine…295 (+7)
T3. New Mexico…295 (+7)
5. No. 9 Virginia…297 (+9)
T6. No. 12 Illinois…302 (+14)
T6. No. 26 Texas A&M…302 (+14)
T8. No. 22 San Diego State…303 (+15)
T8. No. 16 Georgia Tech…303 (+15)
T10. No. 4 Oklahoma…307 (+19)
T10. No. 11 Florida…307 (+19)
T10. No. 50 USC…307 (+19)
13. No. 30 Georgia…311 (+23)
14. Washington…312 (+24)
15. No. 18 SMU…317 (+29)

Individual Leaders (Top 5 of 84 players + SDSU)
1. Caden Fioroni (UNLV)…67 (-5)
T2. Josiah Gilbert (Arizona)…70 (-2)
T2. William Walsh (Pepperdine)…70 (-2)
T4. Tyler Kowack (San Diego State)…71 (-1)
T4. Carson Bacha (Auburn)…71 (-1)
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T41. Chanachon Chokprajakchat (San Diego State)…77 (+5)
T41. Dylan Oyama (San Diego State)…77 (+5)
T51. Harry Takis (San Diego State)…78 (+6)
T79. Shea Lague (San Diego State)…83 (+11)