Men's Golf Moves Up to Second at Southwestern

Tuesday, January 25

Westlake Village, Calif.

Pepperdine University

Southwestern Invitational

Joey Vrzich

Photo by: Jeff Golden

1/25/2022 5:49:00 PM | Men's Golf

Results Photo Gallery

By: by Athletic Communications

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, California – The defending NCAA champion Pepperdine men's golf team posted an impressive second round at its own Southwestern Invitational, presented by Topgolf, on Tuesday, but will need an even better finish to surpass Arizona State on Wednesday.

The Waves have a two-day total of a 12-under 564 (287-277) at the par-72 North Ranch Country Club. Today's score of 11-under tied the fourth-best round by a team in Southwestern Invitational history and moved Pepperdine from third place to second place.

But Arizona State shot 13-under, tying the second-best round in Southwestern history, to climb up into the top spot in the standings and into a six-shot lead over the Waves and a nine-stroke lead over first-round leader Georgia.

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

PLAYER SCORES

Senior Joey Vrzich (El Cajon, Calif./Christian HS/Nevada) is tied for sixth place with a 4-under 140 (73-67). His 5-under round tied for the best round of the day. It featured an eagle on the par-5 12th hole and five birdies.
Senior Derek Hitchner (Minneapolis, Minn./The Blake School) is tied for ninth with a 3-under 141 (71-70). His 2-under round was eventful, with a total of eight birdies, four on the front and four on the back, including a run of three straight on 14, 15 and 16.
Playing as an individual in his first college tournament, freshman Ian Maspat (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch HS) is also tied for ninth with a 3-under 141 (69-72). He had an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole and two birdies during his even-par round.
Senior Joe Highsmith (Lakewood, Wash./Bellarmine Prep) is tied for 16th with a 1-under 143 (71-72). His even-par round featured six birdies, with four of them coming in a five-hole stretch on the front nine.
Junior William Mouw (Chino, Calif./Ontario Christian HS) is tied for 22nd with an even-par 144 (72-72). He had a total of three birdies today, including two in the final four holes.
Junior Dylan Menante (Carlsbad, Calif./Sage Creek HS) is tied for 28th at 145 (77-68). He bounced back with a score of 4-under on Tuesday with an eagle on the par-5 sixth hole and four birdies, including two in the final three holes.

UP NEXT

The third and final round starts at 7:46 a.m. Pepperdine will be in the featured groups along with Arizona State, Georgia and Washington with tee times beginning at 10:20 a.m. There will be live Golf Channel coverage from 1:30-4:30 p.m.

THE NUMBERS

Team Scores: 1. Arizona State 558; 2. Pepperdine 564; 3. Georgia 567; 4. Washington 569; 5. UCLA 577; 6. San Diego State 580; T7. Texas 581; T7. Wake Forest 581; 9. USC 586; 10. San Jose State 589; T11. UNLV 603; T11. SMU 603.

Top Individuals: T1. Devon Bling (UCLA) 136; T1. Trent Phillips (Georgia) 136; 3. Travis Vick (Texas) 137; 4. Cameron Sisk (Arizona State) 138; 5. Teddy Lin (Washington) 139.