The Sun Devil freshman, who joined the team after the fall semester, shot a 7-under 65 in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament in Tucson Monday to lead the Sun Devils. He is currently at 13-under overall through 15 holes in his second round but darkness stopped play, as the Sun Devils are 34-under, one shot back of New Mexico and four shots clear of host Arizona. Ding has posted 10 birdies and two eagles in 33 holes and just one bogey.
The Beijing native won the U.S. Junior Championship at Bandon Dunes in 2002 and was the youngest champion on the China Tour when he won the 2021 Sanya Open (and just the second amateur to win on the China Tour).
The teams will finish the second round Tuesday and then finish the tournament following with 18 holes.
Wenyi Ding ??? is 13-under after 34 holes in his first appearance in the @sundevilmgolf lineup.
Check out all the highlights from Round 1 & 2 in our Instagram story!#ForksUp?? pic.twitter.com/Sq3dVkZ5cl
— Sun Devil Men’s Golf (@sundevilmgolf) January 30, 2024
SUN DEVIL TITLE WINNERS
ASU won the team title in 2019 (814/-50), 2007 (840/-24) and 2004 (856/-8). Sun Devils to win the individual title are Alex del Rey in 2019 (199/-17), Chun An Yu (199/-17) in 2017, Niklas Lemke in 2007 (9-under 207) and 2003 NCAA champion Alejandro Canizares (4-under 212)
ABOUT THE COURSE
The Omni Tucson National is the historic host of countless PGA Tour and NCAA events, as the Catalina Course has long provided a fair test of golf to players of every caliber. In addition to the original Catalina Course designed by Robert von Hagge & Bruce Devlin, the Club at Tucson National proudly opened the all-new Tom Lehman-designed desert style Sonoran Course in 2005. The strategic tree-lined bunkering amid gentle contours presents remarkable views and a true test of golf. The two distinctly different 18-hole championship courses are on more than 260 acres in the foothills of the dramatic Santa Catalina Mountains.
LAST TIME AT THE OMNI
The Sun Devils took third at the 2023 National Invitational with a 22-under 842 (274-288-280). Preston Summerhays finished fourth at 9-under 207 (66-71-70) that included 13 birdies.
NATIONAL INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
TUCSON, AZ
OMNI NATIONAL (PAR 72/7,200 YARDS)
JAN. 29-30, 2024/18 TEAMS
New Mexico 273/-35
Arizona State 269/-34
Arizona 278/-30
BYU 278/-22
Fresno State 271/-21
Missouri 276/-18
Texas A&M 283/-15
SMU…
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