No. 4/5 Sun Devil Men’s Golf took control of pleasant early-morning weather conditions to lead by one stroke over the Arizona Wildcats going into Saturday’s final round of the Thunderbird Collegiate after shooting 20-under 264 in round one and followed up the performance with a 3-under 281.
On its home course in front of the Sun Devil faithful, The 20-under 264 opening round was the fourth lowest team round in the Golfstat era and catapulted the Sun Devils into the lead. ASU is leading the field on par-4 holes at 12-under and is tied for second to Oklahoma State with 38 birdies.
“The thing we focused on the most in the locker room was, ‘look around you,’ “said head coach Matt Thurmond. “We have so many people out here working hard to make their experience special. We focused on gratitude and know how special this tournament is.
Preston Summerhays is 8-under through 36 holes and knotted for the individual lead. Josele Ballester is 6-under and tied for seventh.
BEST TEAM ROUNDS BY SCORE (1993-94 TO PRESENT)
2022 Maui Jim Intercollegiate — 257 in second round
2019 Maui Jim Intercollegiate — 262 in first round
2019 National Invitational Tournament — 263 in second round
2023 Thunderbird Collegiate – 264 in first round
2018 Maui Jim Intercollegiate — 265 in first round
2017 ASU Thunderbird Invitational — 265 in second round
FIRST ROUND
Arizona State had four starters shoot an opening round in the 60’s and managed 17 birdies on the back-9 on its own. The team managed 26 birdies for the first round.
The charge was led by Ballester, who fired an opening round 64 (-7), including capping off his first round with five-straight birdies, to complete the back-nine in 29 strokes.
“After a bogey on the first hole, I had this thought of Jon Rahm double-bogeying at The Masters and still winning,” said Ballester. “On the second 18, I didn’t make many putts but hopefully I can continue this momentum into tomorrow.
Preston Summerhays continued his impressive spring season shooting a 66 (-5) which included eagling the first hole and notching four birdies on the front nine. Michael Mjaaseth managed to shoot a bogey-free 65 (-6) that included five birdies on the final eight holes of his opening round.
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#ForksUp /// ??????
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