Morales Named Pac-12 Men’s Golfer of the Week

SAN FRANCISCO – Sophomore Omar Morales has been named Pac-12 Men’s Golfer of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday morning. This is the first weekly award of Morales’ career.
 
Last Sunday, Morales won his first collegiate event at the El Macero Classic in a one-hole playoff after shooting 13-under over three rounds (69-67-67) at El Macero Country Club.
 
The Puebla, Mexico native recorded back-to-back career low scores of 5-under 67 in the second and third rounds of the tournament to force a playoff with San Diego’s Andi Xu, finishing in a tie for first in a field of 100 golfers. Morales parred his playoff hole while Xu bogeyed.
 
Morales was masterful with 16 birdies and one eagle over his 54 holes. His 13-under score is tied for the 10th lowest 54-hole score in relation to par in program history and is the best mark by a Bruin since Devon Bling (2017-22) shot 15-under at the 2018 Jackrabbit Invitational at Boulder Creek Golf Club.
 
Morales’ medal marks the first individual champion in the Armen Kirakossian era as head coach of UCLA men’s golf program.
 
This is the first weekly/monthly honor for a Bruin since Devon Bling earned Pac-12 Golfer of the Month in March 2020.
 
UCLA begins postseason play in two weeks at the Pac-12 Championships at Stanford Golf Course in Stanford, Calif. from April 28-30. Morales tied for 24th at last year’s event with a score of 6-over (72-72-73-73).