Men’s Golf | September 09, 2024
MARICOPA, Ariz. – Senior Gavin Aurilia propelled the Trojans as they posted their best two rounds on opening day since the 2019-20 season (Maui Jim Intercollegiate, 546 strokes) as both Aurilia and USC rank first on the leaderboard at the Southern Dunes Invitational in Maricopa, Ariz.
Aurilia got off to hot start by posting back-to-back rounds in the 60s to open the season. The senior has a short history with the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, but understands it well, as this is the second time in his career that he has posted back-to-back rounds in the 60s, with the first being at the 2024 Cowboy Classic held at the same course. Aurilia followed a solid opening round 69 (-3) with his new career-best single-round performance 65 (-7). The senior leads the tournament by one stroke over Fresno State’s Chris Bettencourt. Aurilia put together ten birdies and one eagle in his 36 holes of work.
Two other Trojans sit solidly in the top 15 after day one, with junior Jackson Rivera tied for seventh and junior Antonio Safa tied for 12th. Rivera posted a 70 (-2) in round one and a 69 (-3) in round two to put him at five-under par in his first action since last fall. Safa was the biggest mover for the Trojans in round two as he moved up 25 spots with a five-under par (67), after an opening round of 74 (+2).
The other counting scores in the first round came from sophomores Jack Jerge and Nicolas Dominguez. Both players shot two under par 70, in round one, to help the Trojans to a 279 (-9). Round two continued the hot trend as the team posted 65, 67, 69, 72 for a 273 (-15) total.
In the individual section, three Trojans made their college debuts. Freshmen Jack Buchanan, Tyler Greenspahn and Jaden Dumdumaya. Amongst the three, Buchanan climbed the highest on the leaderboard, tied for 14th after two rounds. Buchanan posted a 72 and 70 in rounds one and two.
The Trojans are competing for their first tournament team title since Mar. 3, 2020 (Southern Highlands Invitational) and first individual winner since Mar. 18, 2023 (Jackson Rivera; Arizona N.I.T.) and coach Mark Hankins‘s first win at the helm with the final round at 8 a.m. tomorrow at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes G.C.
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