FRESNO, Calif. – Sophomore Carlos Astiazaran was crowned the Nick Watney Invitational champion Tuesday at Sunnyside Country Club, becoming the first Pacific men's golfer in program history to win multiple individual titles in a single season since 1983.

The Tigers (E/852) wrapped up the day in a tie for sixth place within the 13-team field, highlighted by Astiazaran's second individual title of the season. The Tucson, Arizona native won the Leadership & Golf Collegiate Championship from Oct. 21-23, which signified his first individual victory of the season. Ken Earle earned medalist performances at the Elkhorn Invitational in 1981-82 and a 72-69 at Silverado in the same season. Jeff Wilson won the Wolf Pack Invitational and the Pacific Autumn Invitational in 1983.

"It was a great time in Fresno," Astiazaran said. "I was able to put together some solid rounds and being able to win is always a big bonus. We are excited for the rest of the season and look forward to playing the same golf we know we can play!"

Astiazaran steadied the course across the two-day tournament with a ten-under-par score for the 54 holes, spearheading the team's efforts. Collectively, the Tigers had a pair of golfers in the top 20 with junior Travis Robbie in the fold at a tie for 14th place individually.

"It was not the ideal team finish we were looking for today, but we will bounce back," head coach John Cook said. "Carlos battled back after a slow start to capture his second win! He played solidly all week. His resilience and work really paid off this week. He works extremely hard on this game."

Astiazaran, who is ranked No. 115 nationally according to Scoreboard, becomes the second Tiger to win the Nick Watney Invitational in school history. Byron Meth won the tournament in 2014.

Robbie carded a three-under-par for his two-day total. Junior Ian Fritz, freshman Brasen Briones and junior Deitrek Gill rounded out the team scoring for Pacific.

Junior Timothy Jung competed as an individual to complete the Tigers' representation at the tournament. 

The Tigers will next compete in the Desert Mountain Intercollegiate in Scottsdale, Arizona from Mar. 7-8. 
Team Leaderboard
T1. Fresno State (-23)
T1. San Diego (-23) 
3. Santa Clara (-17)
4. Cal Poly (-5)
5. UC San Diego (-2)
T6. Pacific (E)
T6. Sacramento State (E)
8. San Francisco (+1) 
9. Utah Valley (+9)
10. Idaho (+23)
11. Air Force (+29)
12. Southern Utah (+34)
13. CSU Northridge (+35)

Individual Leaderboard (80 Individuals)
1. Carlos Astiazaran (-10)
T14. Travis Robbie (-3)
T38. Ian Fritz (+5)
T42. Timothy Jung (+6)
T50. Brasen Briones (+9)
80. Deitrek Gill (+10)

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