Men's Golf Third After First Round of Southwestern

Monday, January 24

Westlake Village, Calif.

Pepperdine University

Southwestern Invitational

Derek Hitchner

Photo by: Sarah Otteman

1/24/2022 5:16:00 PM | Men's Golf

Results Photo Gallery

By: by Athletic Communications

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, California – The defending NCAA champion Pepperdine men's golf team is in third place after Monday's first round of its own Southwestern Invitational, presented by Topgolf.

The Waves shot an opening score of a 1-under 287 at the par-72 North Ranch Country Club. The Waves were cruising along with the lead late in the round, but the scoring players carded a total of seven-over-par over the final three holes. They'll head into the second round eight shots behind the leader, Georgia, and four back of Arizona State.

This year's Southwestern Invitational features six top-25 teams, including the Waves (#2 by Golfweek/Sagarin and #7 by Golfstat).

PLAYER SCORES

Playing as an individual, freshman Ian Maspat (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch HS) recorded a 3-under 69 in his debut college round and is tied for fifth place. He was 1-over after 11 holes but posted four of his six birdies over the final seven holes.
Senior Joe Highsmith (Lakewood, Wash./Bellarmine Prep) is tied for 14th after a 1-under 71. He had three birdies during his round.
Senior Derek Hitchner (Minneapolis, Minn./The Blake School) is also tied for 14th after a 1-under 71. He had a total of four birdies, two on the front nine and two on the back nine.
Junior William Mouw (Chino, Calif./Ontario Christian HS) is tied for 19th after an even-par 72. He had an eagle on the par-5 sixth hole, and had four birdies.
Senior Joey Vrzich (El Cajon, Calif./Christian HS/Nevada) is tied for 25th after a 73. He had four birdies, two on the front nine and two on the back nine.
Junior Dylan Menante (Carlsbad, Calif./Sage Creek HS) is tied for 49th after a 77. He had one birdie on the day.

UP NEXT

The Waves will be in the first grouping for Tuesday's second round. They'll be paired with Georgia, Wake Forest and USC once again and will tee off on #1 beginning at 8 a.m. There will be live Golf Channel coverage featuring the later groups from 1:30-4:30 p.m.

THE NUMBERS

Team Scores: 1. Georgia 279; 2. Arizona State 283; 3. Pepperdine 287; 4. UCLA 288; T5. Texas 289; T5. Washington 289; 7. San Diego State 290; 8. San Jose State 292; 9. SMU 294; 10. Wake Forest 295; 11. USC 299; 12. UNLV 302.

Top Individuals: 1. Trent Phillips (Georgia) 66; 2. Devon Bling (UCLA) 67; T3. Nathan Petronzio (SMU) 68; T3. Cole Hammer (Texas) 68; T5. Ian Maspat (Pepperdine) 69; T5. Mason Andersen (Arizona State) 69.