LA QUINTA, Calif. (February 20, 2023) – Junior Jaden Cantafio fired an even-par 71 to lead Washington State Men’s Golf during the first round of play at The Prestige, Monday on the par 71, 7,100-yard Greg Norman Course at PGA West. As a team, the Cougars finished the first round at 9-over, 293, alone in 14th place in the 24-team field.
Sixteenth-ranked Pepperdine leads after 18 holes following an 8-under 276, one stroke ahead of No. 6 Stanford. In a field that includes 11 teams ranked in the Top 25, WSU is in the middle of a tightly-bunched pack, sitting three shots ahead of No. 47 Kansas and No. 33 Liberty, and four strokes up on No. 28 LSU.
Cantafio began his round with three birdies on the first five holes and added another on No. 11 before giving two shots back on his final three holes to finish at even-par 71, tied for 27th. Sophomore Peter Jung started his round two-over on the front nine before playing the back side in one-under for a first round of 1-over 72, tied for 37th. Jung carded six pars mixed in with two birdies over his final eight holes to close strong.
Senior Pono Yanagi birdied two of his final three holes, part of a four-birdie round Monday, to finish his opening day tied for 58th at 3-over, 74. Junior Preston Bebich carded a 5-over 76 on his first round, which included three birdies. Freshman Sam Renner started his round birdie-par-birdie before finding trouble on the back side to finish his day at 8-over, 79, tied for 107th.
Sophomore Franklin Lydra, playing as an individual, collected three birdies before finishing his first day at 5-over 77.
Play continues with Round 2 at The Prestige Tuesday morning. The Cougars will tee off on the back nine beginning at 7:40 a.m.
Fans can follow all of the action at GolfStat.com. For more information on the Washington State men’s golf team, follow @WSUCougarMGolf on Instagram and Twitter.
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