Men's Golf Places Fifth at Southwestern Invitational

Wednesday, January 27

Westlake Village, Calif.

Pepperdine University

Southwestern Invitational

Joshua McCarthy

Photo by: Jeff Golden

Men's Golf Places Fifth at Southwestern Invitational

1/27/2021 5:40:00 PM | Men's Golf

Results Photo Gallery

By: by Athletic Communications

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, California – Joshua McCarthy, RJ Manke and Joey Vrzich all finished in the top 10 but the Pepperdine men's golf team had to settle for a fifth-place finish at its own Southwestern Invitational, presented by Topgolf, on Wednesday.

The top-ranked Waves posted a three-day total of 888 (308-277-303) at the par-72 North Ranch Country Club. San Diego State (874) rallied to beat Arizona State by three shots.

Unfortunately, McCarthy (second place) and Manke (tied for third place) were competing as individuals and did not count toward the Waves' team score. McCarthy finished nine shots back of Arizona State's David Puig, who set a Southwestern Invitational record for margin of victory.

The tournament, which was being played for the 42nd time, was televised by the Golf Channel for the first time.

PLAYER SCORES

Playing as an individual, senior Joshua McCarthy (Danville, Calif./De La Salle HS) tied for the best round of the day with a 2-under 70. He was one of just two players to finish below-par for the entire tournament, ending up with a 1-under 215 (72-73-70). His round today included six birdies with a run of three straight on holes 4, 5 and 6.
Playing as an individual, senior RJ Manke (Lakewood, Wash./Bellarmine Prep) tied for third with an even-par 216 (74-69-73). He had three birdies today. He had a team-high-tying 12 birdies for the tournament.
Senior Joey Vrzich (El Cajon, Calif./Christian HS/Nevada) tied for ninth at 218 (76-67-75). He had four birdies in the final round. He had a team-high-tying 12 birdies for the tournament.
Sophomore Dylan Menante (Carlsbad, Calif./Sage Creek HS) tied for 11th at 220 (76-68-76). He had four birdies on Wednesday, including three straight on holes 4, 5 and 6. He had a team-high-tying 12 birdies for the tournament.
Sophomore William Mouw (Chino, Calif./Ontario Christian HS) tied for 22nd at 225 (80-70-75). He posted three birdies today.
Junior Joe Highsmith (Lakewood, Wash./Bellarmine Prep) tied for 26th at 226 (77-72-77). He had four birdies in the final round, including three in the final five holes.
Senior Clay Feagler (Laguna Niguel, Calif./Dana Hills HS) tied for 44th at 231 (79-75-77). He had two birdies on Wednesday.
Playing as an individual, senior Austin Murphy (Morgan Hill, Calif./Bellarmine College Preparatory) tied for 48th at 234 (80-76-78). He had four birdies today, all of which came over six holes with a three-hole run on 15, 16 and 17.

UP NEXT

Pepperdine's second tournament of the spring season will be at the Amer Ari Invitational in Hawai'i next Tuesday through Thursday (Feb. 2-4).

THE NUMBERS

Team Scores: 1. San Diego State 874; 2. Arizona State 877; 3. SMU 882; 4. Louisville 885; 5. Pepperdine 888; 6. USC 900; 7. Georgia Tech 902; 8. East Tennessee State 904; 9. California 914; 10. Saint Mary's 915; 11. San Jose State 922; 12. Augusta 923.

Top Individuals: 1. David Puig (Arizona State) 206; 2. Joshua McCarthy (Pepperdine) 215; T3. RJ Manke (Pepperdine) 216; T3. Youssef Guezzale (San Diego State) 216; T3. Noah Goodwin (SMU) 216; T3. Matthias Schmid (Louisville) 216.