SANTA CRUZ, California – The Pepperdine men's golf team captured its program-record fourth victory of the season as the Waves won the Western Intercollegiate by 11 shots on Wednesday, while
Joe Highsmith won his first college title via a playoff.
The Waves had a three-day total of a 4-under 1,046 (354-348-344) at the par-70 Pasatiempo Golf Club. This was a play-six, count-five competition. Pepperdine, which entered the round with a six-shot lead, got off to a great start and led by around 10 strokes for most of the day.
The #7 Waves, who were the highest-ranked team in the field, earned their first-ever win at the Western Intercollegiate. Pepperdine's 6-under today was the best round of the tournament.
The Waves won three times in the fall (Pasadera Collegiate Invitational, East Lake Cup, Rustic Collegiate Classic) and this was the first victory in the spring. Pepperdine had previously won three tournaments in a season in 1995-96, 2003-04, 2018-19 and 2019-20.
Highsmith tied atop the leaderboard with BYU's Carson Lundell and San Diego State's Puwit Anupansuebsai. Highsmith went par-par-par-par in sudden death, including a 20-foot par save on the second playoff hole. Anupansuebsai was knocked out with a double bogey on the third playoff hole, while Lundell bogeyed the fourth playoff hole.
PLAYER SCORES
- Junior Joe Highsmith (Lakewood, Wash./Bellarmine Prep) recorded a 5-under 205 (72-66-67). His 3-under today included four birdies. After beginning the day four shots back, Highsmith had a one-shot lead on 17. But after 42 straight holes without a miscue, a bogey dropped him back into a first-place tie. A par on 18 got him into the playoff. Highsmith had 40 pars (second-most in the tournament), eight birdies and an eagle for the tournament. Highsmith received the "Blue Jacket" awarded to the winner of the Western Intercollegiate each year. This was his team-best sixth top-10 finish of the season.
- Senior Clay Feagler (Laguna Niguel, Calif./Dana Hills HS) tied for fourth with a 2-under 208 (72-70-66). His 4-under today included six birdies, four of which came on the front nine. He had birdies on 12 and 13 and finished with five straight pars. This was his best finish of the season.
- Playing as an individual, junior Derek Hitchner (Minneapolis, Minn./The Blake School) also tied for fourth with a 2-under 208 (69-71-68). His 2-under today included four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 sixth hole.
- Senior RJ Manke (Lakewood, Wash./Bellarmine Prep) tied for ninth at 211 (68-70-73). He had four birdies today.
- Sophomore Dylan Menante (Carlsbad, Calif./Sage Creek HS) tied for 11th at 212 (72-67-73). His final round had one birdie.
- Sophomore William Mouw (Chino, Calif./Ontario Christian HS) tied for 15th at 214 (70-76-68). His 2-under today featured three birdies.
- Playing as an individual, senior Joshua McCarthy (Danville, Calif./De La Salle HS) also tied for 15th at 214 (71-75-68). He had six birdies today, including four in his final eight holes. McCarthy had a team-best 14 birdies for the tournament.
- Senior Joey Vrzich (El Cajon, Calif./Christian HS/Nevada) tied for 26th at 217 (72-75-70). His even-par on Wednesday had four birdies.
- Playing as an individual, senior Austin Murphy (Morgan Hill, Calif./Bellarmine College Preparatory) tied for 40th at 219 (74-74-71). He had three birdies today, all of which came in his final five holes.
QUOTABLE
Pepperdine Coach
Michael Beard said: "This was big for us. We were trending in the right way so I hoped we would bring our best stuff and come out with a victory ... Joe hit it really well, he was really impressive. He's been knocking on the door a little bit and to be able to close the deal was super special."
Joe Highsmith said: "That was absolute craziness. Obviously the 20-footer in the playoff was crazy. It may not have looked like it out there, but I was definitely feeling the nerves but was able to handle it pretty well. It's been a while since I was in that position. This was great, it means a lot to win it here, it's really cool for me."
UP NEXT
Pepperdine has won a West Coast Conference-best 20 titles, including each of the last two, and the 2021 WCC Championships will be held April 29-May 1 at Reflection Bay Golf Club in Henderson, Nevada.
THE NUMBERS
Team Scores: 1. Pepperdine 1,046; 2. Stanford 1,057; 3. San Diego State 1,070; 4. Washington 1,074; 5. BYU 1,077; 6. California 1,084; 7. Oregon 1,085; 8. USC 1,091; 9. San Jose State 1,096; 10. Colorado State 1,105; 11. UC Irvine 1,119; 12. UTEP 1,121; 13. Hawai'i 1,136.
Top Individuals: 1.** Joe Highsmith (Pepperdine) 205; T2. Carson Lundell (BYU) 205; T2. Puwit Anupansuebsai (San Diego State) 205;
T4. Clay Feagler (Pepperdine) 208;
T4. Derek Hitchner (Pepperdine) 208.
**won in a playoff
