May 17, 2013

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PULLMAN, Wash. - No. 1 Cal (265-276 - 541, -35) extended its lead after 36 holes at the NCAA Pullman Regional to 11 strokes over second-place USC (272-280 - 552, -24) at the conclusion of action Friday at the par-72, 7,308-yard Palouse Ridge Golf Club. One day after shooting a school-record 23-under par round, the Golden Bears were 12-under on Friday with a round that was the best among the 14 teams in the field for a second consecutive day.

"It's a little bit like a broken record, but we had another great round today," head coach Steve Desimone said. "I could even make the case that we played better today than we did yesterday when we set a school-record for our lowest round. The separation that we put between ourselves and the rest of the field make that point. It was fun to watch."

Michael Weaver (65-67 - 132, -12) is in sole possession of second-place six shots behind individual leader Sam Smith of USC (62-64 - 126, -18), while Joël Stalter (65-68 - 133, -11) is alone a shot behind Weaver. Michael Kim (69-68 - 137, -7) matched Stalter's four-under par 68 that tied for Friday's third-best round to move up 19 spots into a tie for sixth. Brandon Hagy (66-73 - 139, -5) is tied for 12th, while Max Homa (70-73 - 143, -1) is tied for 34th.

Weaver ended his round with four birdies over his last five holes. Those four birdies came twice in back-to-back fashion on par-fours (14, 15) and par-fives (17, 18). During his two rounds of the NCAA Pullman Regional, Weaver has played the final four holes in eight-under par. He also had birdies Friday on the par-four seventh and par-five ninth holes. His lone bogey came on the par-three 13th.

"I played well today," Weaver said. "The putter was the key to the good round. I made a lot of putts today and that was huge for me, especially on the back nine."

Stalter matched Weaver's six birdies with his coming on the par-three fourth, par-four eighth and par-five 10th, as well as the 15th, 17th and 18th. Statler's two bogeys came on the par-three sixth and 13th holes.

"I'm really excited about my round today and excited for tomorrow," Stalter said. "It was tougher today, but we played really well and were able to separate ourselves a little bit from the rest of the pack."

Kim started strong with back-to-back birdies on the par-four second and third holes. After a bogey on four, he added three more birdies on the sixth, 10th and par-four 12th.

"It was a really good round by our team today," Kim said. "We extended our lead, and we're excited for tomorrow. As for my round, I got off to a great start and overall it was a good round."

Two of Hagy's three birdies came in back-to-back fashion on the fourth and par-five fifth holes, while he added another on the 15th. His bogeys were on the par-four first as well as the seventh, 13th and 18th.

Homa's three birdies were on the second, 10th and 13th holes. His four bogeys were on the first, fourth, par-three 11th and 12th holes.

Saint Mary's (267-290 - 557, -19) will start Saturday's third and final round in third place, while TCU (276-285 - 561, -15) is fourth. San Diego State (270-293 - 563, -13) and Pacific (274-289 - 563, -3) are tied for fifth.

The top five teams and one player competing as an individual from each of six NCAA Regionals taking place around the nation through Saturday will advance to the NCAA Championship hosted by Georgia Tech May 28 - June 2 at the Capital City Club in Alpharetta, Ga. Cal is looking to play at the NCAA Championship for a school-record fourth consecutive season and the ninth time in school history.

"We put ourselves in a good position tomorrow," Desimone said. "We know it's not over, but I like our chances."

Saturday's third and final round begins at 7:30 a.m. PT. The Bears will play with USC and Saint Mary's with the first threesome from the trio off the first tee at 8:45 a.m.

Cal is looking to break the modern-era single-season NCAA win record with its next victory. The Bears have won 10 of their first 12 tournaments in 2012-13 and current share the record with the 1985-86 Oklahoma State squad. Cal has won 16 of its last 26 tournaments overall dating back to the beginning of the 2011-12 campaign and finished in the top five in all 26.

NCAA Pullman Regional (hosted by Washington State)
Pullman, Wash. - Palouse Ridge Golf Club (par-72, 7,308 yards)

TEAM LEADER BOARD (after 2 of 3 days/2 of 3 rounds/36 of 54 holes)
1. Cal (265-276 - 541, -35)
2. USC (272-280 - 552, -24)
3. St. Mary's (267-290 - 557, -19)
4. TCU (276-285 - 561, -15)
T5. San Diego State (270-293 - 563, -13)
T5. Pacific (274-289 - 563, -13)
T7. Ball State (281-284 - 565, -11)
T7. Virginia Tech (277-288 - 565, -11)
9. BYU (282-291 - 573, -3)
10. Baylor (289-285 - 574, -2)
11. Memphis (276-299 - 575, -1)
12. North Texas (277-300 - 577, +1)
13. Princeton (292-297 - 589, +13)
14. St. Francis, Pa. (300-314 - 614, +38)

PLAYER LEADER BOARD - INDIVIDUAL LEADER (after 2 of 3 days/2 of 3 rounds/36 of 54 holes)
1. Sam Smith (USC) 62-64 - 126 (-18)

PLAYER LEADER BOARD - CAL INDIVIDUALS (after 2 of 3 days/2 of 3 rounds/36 of 54 holes)
2.>Michael Weaver 65-67 - 132 (-12)
3. Joël Stalter 65-68 - 133 (-11)
T6. Michael Kim 69-68 - 137 (-7)
T12. Brandon Hagy 66-73 - 139 (-5)
T34. Max Homa 70-73 - 143 (-1)