Yanagi Goes 7-Under, Helps Cougs to Second Place in Day Two of NGI

MARICOPA, Ariz. (May 18, 2024) – Washington State men’s golf shot a 14-under, 274 to move up to second place in Saturday’s round two of the Golfweek National Golf Invitational with a two-round score of 19-over, 557 at the par 72, 7,323-yard Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club.

The team’s 14-under performance was the best in the 10-team field on Saturday, and ranks seventh in program history in team score to par in a single round. Meanwhile, fifth year Pono Yanagi matched a career-low score of 65, at a career-best 7-under to lead the Cougs in round two.

“Today was a good day,” said Head Coach Dustin White. “The guys came out ready and put together a nice round. It was great to see Pono bounce back – he played great. It puts us right where we want to be heading into tomorrow. We’ve just got to focus on ourselves and keep making birdies. It will be a fun day tomorrow and a good test. We’re excited.”

The Cougs head into the final round of the tournament, just one stroke behind first place TCU who ended day two at 20-under, 556, while senior Preston Bebich and sophomore Sam Renner both lead the team in a tie for fourth at 6-under, 138, five strokes off the leading Anthony Delisanti of Valparaiso who shot a 10-under 62 in round two.

Yanagi had his best round of the year going 7-under, 65 to propel himself 26 spots up the leaderboard where he now sits tied for 15th at 2-under, 142 through two rounds of play. His round two card was outstanding, recording five birdies on the front nine to sit 5-under at the turn before he added two more birdies on the back nine that led to his 7-under day.

Renner also moved his way up the leaderboard, improving five spots where he currently sits tied for fourth at 6-under, 138. His round two score of 4-under, 68 carried him there, scattering three birdies and a bogey over his first nine holes, before carding four birdies against two bogeys down the stretch.

Bebich continued his strong play, as he is also tied for fourth at 6-under, 138. His second round saw two birdies over his first five holes, before a bogey and another birdie put him 2-under at the turn. He parred five straight to open the back nine, but bogeyed holes 15 and 17 to sit even going into his final hole where he carded one final birdie to finish round two at 1-under, 71.

Senior Nate Plaster is tied for 23rd with his two round score at an even 144. He went…