CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico – Sitting as high as 9-over as a team through nine holes, Stanford battled on the back nine to ultimately finish the day in the top-five of the standings with a 4-over 288.
Michael Thorbjornsen led the charge in day one for the Cardinal as the senior finished the day two strokes off the pace with a 2-under 69. The Wellesley, Mass., native knocked down five birdies with three bogeys in his first 18 holes.
Reigning Pac-12 Golfer of the Week Karl Vilips pushed his rounds under par streak to nine as an up-and-down round ended with a 1-under scorecard. Vilips finished the day tied-13th with five birdies, two bogeys, and a double-bogey.
Both Jake-Beber Frankel and Barclay Brown started the day 5-over through nine holes, but the seniors both knocked down a pair of pivotal birdies on the back stretch to finish the day at 3-over an 4-over, respectively.
Sean-Karl Dobson finished the day at 5-over 76 for Stanford’s non-scoring round.
Action resumes tomorrow at the Twin Dolphin Club for round two at 8:30 a.m. PT.
