Men's Golf Takes Share of Lead at NCAA Regional

Monday, May 13

Austin, Texas

All Day

Pepperdine University

NCAA Austin Regional

Joshua McCarthy

Photo by: Roger Horne

5/13/2019 1:46:00 PM | Men's Golf

Round 1 Results

By: by Athletic Communications

AUSTIN, Texas – The Pepperdine men's golf team got the NCAA Austin Regional off to a terrific start, as the Waves are tied for first place after Monday's first round thanks to big performances by Joshua McCarthy and Joe Highsmith.

The Waves shot a 6-under 278 at the par-71 University of Texas Golf Club, tied with the host Longhorns. The goal is to finish in the top five in order to advance to nationals, and the Waves are currently 12 shots better than sixth place.

Pepperdine, the 1997 NCAA champion, is trying to make it to the NCAA Championships for the 10th time in program history. The Waves last made it in 2017. Pepperdine is the #3 seed among the 14 teams at this regional.

This is just the second time that Pepperdine has led at a regional. The Waves had a share of the first-round lead in 1996, a year in which they qualified for nationals.

PLAYER SCORES

Junior Joshua McCarthy (Danville, Calif./De La Salle HS) is tied for second after a 4-under 67. He had seven birdies on the day (more than any other player), six of which came on par-4s. He was 1-under at the turn and posted four birdies against one bogey on the back nine. Last year, McCarthy tied for fifth at the NCAA Norman Regional to qualify for nationals as an individual.
Freshman Joe Highsmith (Lakewood, Wash./Bellarmine Prep) is in fifth place with a 3-under 68 after his first-ever NCAA postseason round. He had four birdies, including two in his first four holes, and committed just one bogey.
Sophomore RJ Manke (Lakewood, Wash./Bellarmine Preparatory School) is tied for 13th after an even-par 71. He had three birdies on the day.
Senior Roy Cootes (Rolling Hills, Calif./Palos Verdes HS) is tied for 22nd after a 72. He had three birdies.
Junior Clay Feagler (Laguna Niguel, Calif./Dana Hills HS) is tied for 29th after a 73. He had three birdies.

UP NEXT

Tuesday's second round begins at 7:30 a.m. CT and the Waves will be paired with Texas and TCU.

THE NUMBERS

Team Scores: T1. Pepperdine 278; T1. Texas 278; 3. TCU 280; 4. Arkansas 282; 5. Clemson 284; T6. USC 290; T6. Marquette 290; 8. San Jose State 291; T9. UMKC 295; T9. Iowa 295; 11. Sam Houston State 303; T12. Saint Mary's 307; T12. Army 307; 14. Prairie View A&M 309.

Top Individuals: 1. Pierceson Coody (Texas) 66; T2. Joshua McCarthy (Pepperdine) 67; T2. David Ravetto (TCU) 67; T2. Julian Perico (Arkansas) 67; 5. Joe Highsmith (Pepperdine) 68.