STOCKTON, Calif. – Hosting its lone home tournament of the season, the Pacific men's golf team shot an opening round three-over-par 287 Thursday morning at the Visit Stockton Invitational.
The Tigers sent 10 team members to play at the Stockton Golf & Country Club, with three making season debuts. Competing as an individual,
Timothy Jung tallied a team-low score of one-under-par 70 as he finished in a tie for 27th place. Only five shots off the lead, Jung recorded a season-high six birdies, with five coming on his first nine holes.
"His putter was hot in the first nine holes, which was pretty cool," Head Coach
John Cook said regarding Jung's first-round performance. "Most of his putts were from 10 feet out, and it was good seeing him make those early."
Despite finishing the first round in 14th place out of 16 teams, the Tigers remain in contention heading into the second day of play, as 10 shots separate the team from a top-five position. Grand Canyon stands alone at the top of the 16-team field after shooting an 11-under 273, while UC San Diego and Fresno State round out the top-three teams.
In the team scoring,
Leonardo Rigamonti,
Ian Fritz, and
Griffin Long led the Tigers throughout the first round, as Fritz and Rigamonti both shot an even-par 71, while Long tallied a one-over-par 72. During the first 18 holes of the tournament, the trio combined for 14 birdies as Fritz led the way with six, the most he has ever tallied in a round this season.
Petr Janik and
Maverick Pavletich completed the team scoring for the Tigers, with Janik tallying a two-over-par 73, while Pavletich finished the first round with a four-over-par 75.
"We were trying to play catch up all day," Cook stated regarding the team scoring. "I think the team did well holding it together and battling back … The team was frustrated because I know they want to play better than they did today."
Three team members saw playing time for the first time this season, with
Thomas O'Rourke,
Tyler Ward, and
Alex Barclay playing well throughout the first round. Ward finished with a solid one-over-par 72, while O'Rourke and Barclay each recorded a three-over-par 74.
Pacific tees off at 8:39 a.m. tomorrow as the Tigers compete in the second round of the Visit Stockton Invitational at the Stockton Golf & Country Club.
