Waves Finish Second at Own Southwestern Invitational

Wednesday, January 26

Westlake Village, Calif.

Pepperdine University

Southwestern Invitational

Derek Hitchner

Photo by: Jeff Golden

Waves Finish Second at Own Southwestern Invitational

1/26/2022 5:25:00 PM | Men's Golf

Results Photo Gallery

By: by Athletic Communications

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, California – The Pepperdine men's golf team played well enough to post a strong second-place finish at its own Southwestern Invitational, presented by Topgolf, but couldn't overcome a record-setting performance by Arizona State on Wednesday.

The Waves recorded a three-day total of a 17-under 847 (287-277-283) at the par-72 North Ranch Country Club. Their 54-hole score of 17-under was the fifth-best in Southwestern Invitational history, and the best ever by a non-champion.

The Sun Devils, who began the final round with a six-shot lead, poured it on and posted a Southwestern-record team score of 30-under to win by 13 shots. ASU won its record ninth Southwestern title, and its first since 2001.

Arizona State's David Puig became the first-ever back-to-back winner at the Southwestern, and just the fourth player to win multiple Southwestern titles.

This year's Southwestern Invitational featured six top-25 teams, including the Waves (#2 by Golfweek/Sagarin and #7 by Golfstat) and Sun Devils (#3 by Golfstat and Golfweek/Sagarin).

PLAYER SCORES

Senior Derek Hitchner (Minneapolis, Minn./The Blake School) tied for fourth place with a 5-under 211 (71-70-70). He was one of only two players in the field to go below-par in all three rounds. He had five birdies during his 2-under today, including three in his final four holes. Hitchner had a total of 17 birdies, tied for most in the tournament with ASU's Puig.
Junior Dylan Menante (Carlsbad, Calif./Sage Creek HS) tied for sixth with a 4-under 212 (77-68-67). He began the tournament tied for 49th but came back with two exceptional rounds. His season-best 5-under today included six birdies, three on the front nine and three on the back nine.
Senior Joe Highsmith (Lakewood, Wash./Bellarmine Prep) tied for 10th with a 2-under 214 (71-72-71). His second below-par round of the tournament included an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole and four birdies. His 52nd career below-par round moved him into a tie for sixth place on Pepperdine's all-time list.
Senior Joey Vrzich (El Cajon, Calif./Christian HS/Nevada) tied for 23rd at 218 (73-67-78). He had two birdies in the final round.
Playing as an individual in his first college tournament, freshman Ian Maspat (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch HS) tied for 23rd at 218 (69-72-77). He had three birdies in the final round.
Junior William Mouw (Chino, Calif./Ontario Christian HS) tied for 27th at 219 (72-72-75). He had two birdies on Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Pepperdine's second tournament of the fall season is the Amer Ari Invitational in Hawai'i from February 3-5.

THE NUMBERS

Team Scores: 1. Arizona State 834; 2. Pepperdine 847; 3. Washington 856; 4. Georgia 863; 5. Wake Forest 869; 6. San Diego State 871; 7. UCLA 876; 8. Texas 886; 9. USC 893; T10. San Jose State 902; T10. SMU 902; 12. UNLV 906.

Top Individuals: 1. David Puig (Arizona State) 208; T2. Michael Brennan (Wake Forest) 210; T2. Cameron Sisk (Arizona State) 210; T4. Derek Hitchner (Pepperdine) 211; T4. Travis Vick (Texas) 211.