FRESNO, CA – Cal (275-279 – 554, -14) is in the running to win its second straight event with the Golden Bears one stroke behind first-place Saint Mary's (283-270 – 553, -15) after 36 holes at the Nick Watney Invitational hosted by Fresno State at the Fort Washington Country Club. The Bears are off to a strong start in 2015-16 with a second-place finish at the season-opening Gopher Invitational followed by a victory in their most recent event at the Inverness Intercollegiate.
“Tomorrow is another important day,” head coach Steve Desimone said. “I'd like to see us put up some good score and pull this thing out. There are other good teams out there, but it's really about us tomorrow. If we play well, we will be fine.”
Cal was led Monday by freshman Collin Morikawa (67-69 – 136, -6) who is tied for fourth after two rounds and four spots behind 36-hole leader Pavan Sagoo of Saint Mary's (68-64 – 132, -10). Fellow freshman Jamie Cheatham (69-71 – 140, -2) and Shotaro Ban (71-69 – 140, -6) are four shots behind Morikawa in a tie for 13th place.
Morikawa had seven birdies Monday with four in the first round and three in the second while he had only a single bogey over his 36 holes on the par-four second of his second round. Morikawa birdied the par-five 16th hole on both of his rounds with other birdies coming on the fifth, sixth and 18th holes of the first round, as well as the eighth and 13th holes of the second round.
Cheatham had an eagle on the par-five ninth and three birdies on the par-four fourth, and par-five 12th and 18th holes to help offset three bogeys. Cheatham got to four-under par for the round and six-under par for the tournament after 14 holes of the second round but gave all four strokes back on his final two holes with a triple bogey on one and a bogey on two.
“They have played some really good golf since they moment the stepped onto campus,” Desimone said about the freshman duo. “The future of the program is great. A lot of good things are going on.”
Sebastian Crampton (72-70 – 142, E) and Walker Huddy (68-76 – 144, +2) were also in the Cal lineup and are tied for 24th and tied for 36th, respectively.
William Aldred (76-68 – 144, +2) and Tanner Hughes (77-71 – 148, +6) are playing in the event as individuals and are tied for 36th and 60th. Aldred had five birdies during his second round four-under par 68
Cal will return to action October 5-6 at the Nick Watney Invitational hosted by Fresno State at the Fort Washington Country Club in Fresno.
FRESNO STATE NICK WATNEY INVITATIONAL (HOSTED BY FRESNO STATE)
FRESNO, CA
FORT WASHINGTON (PAR 71, 7323 YARDS)
TEAM LEADERBOARD (after 1 of 2 days/2 of 3 rounds/36 of 54 holes)
1. St. Mary's (283-270 – 553, -15)
2. Cal (275-279 – 554, -14)
3. Sacramento State (284-272 – 556, -12)
4. Fresno State (284-276 – 560, -8)
5. Long Beach State (281-283 – 564, -4)
T6. Nevada (288-277 – 565, -3)
T6. Brigham Young (285-280 – 565, -3)
T6. San Diego (285-280 – 565, -3)
9. Columbia (283-286 – 569, +1)
10. Cal Poly (288-284 – 572, +4)
11. Loyola Marymount (284-290 – 574, +6)
12. UC Santa Barbara (283-293 – 576, +8)
13. Pacific (294-288 – 582, +14)
PLAYER LEADERBOARD – INDIVIDUAL LEADER (after 1 of 2 days/2 of 3 rounds/36 of 54 holes)
1. Pavan Sagoo – St. Mary's (68-64 – 132, -10)
PLAYER LEADERBOARD – CAL INDIVIDUALS (after 1 of 2 days/2 of 3 rounds/36 of 54 holes)
T4. Collin Morikawa (67-69 – 136, -6)
T13. Shotaro Ban (71-69 – 140, -2)
T13. Jamie Cheatham (69-71 – 140, -2)
T24. Sebastian Crampton (72-70 – 142, E)
T36. Walker Huddy (68-76 – 144, +2)
^T36. William Aldred (76-68 – 144, +2)
^T60. Tanner Hughes (77-71 – 148, +6)
^played as an individual
