The Washington men’s golf team made the best of a disappointing trip to the Big Island of Hawai’i, beating No. 2-ranked Auburn, three matches to two, in an impromptu, five-man match Friday at Kohanaiki Golf Course.
Petr Hruby, Bo Peng and Taehoon Song each won their matches.
The Huskies, along with the other 19 teams entered in the Amer Ari Intercollegiate at Hapuna Golf Course, were never able to complete a round in the that tournament, which was canceled during what was meant to be the second day of play on Thursday, due to consistent, high winds. Left with a day before returning home, the UW and Auburn coaching staffs scrambled to put together a match 30 miles southwest of the original venue.
“It was nice to be able to have a really competitive match against a really good team,” said Husky head coach Alan Murray. “Auburn are obviously one of the strongest teams in the country, so it was good to compete against them.”
Peng won his match, 4 and 2, over Auburn’s Brendan Valdes, currently the No. 21-ranked college golfer in the country (GolfStat rankings). Hruby beat J.M. Butler, 3 and 2, while Song won, 2 up, over Alex Vogelsong.
UW’s Teddy Lin fell to Auburn’s Carson Bacha, 3 and 2; while Husky Aidan O’Hagan was beaten 3 and 1 by 40th-ranked Evan Vo.
By the turn, Washington held a lead over the Tigers with the advantage in two matches and ties in two others, with both Song and Hruby 2 up, both Peng and Lin even, and O’Hagan 1 down.
“We were happy to get the win in a tight game, and we just have to keep working hard and trying to get better,” Murray said. “It was a nice end to a great week on the Big Island. Obviously, we were sad that the tournament wasn’t played, but this was great to be able to come together at the last minute.
“We’re grateful to Kohanaiki, coach Chris Larson and Auburn for a really productive and fun day with some stiff competition,” Murray concluded.
Next for the Huskies, Peng and Song will participate in the Genesis Invitational Collegiate Showcase Monday (Feb. 13) in Los Angeles, part of the Genesis Invitational PGA Tour event later in the week.
The following Monday through Wednesday, the Huskies will play at The Prestige at PGA West, in La Quinta, Calif.
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at University of Washington Athletics…