OLYMPIA FIELDS, Illinois – The 2022-23 men's golf season is underway and Pepperdine is tied for eighth place after Friday's first round of the OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational.
The Waves shot an opening 289 at the par-70 Olympia Fields Country Club. This tournament features each of the last four national champions (including Pepperdine in 2021) and six of the top 10 teams in the preseason coaches poll, as well as 10 participants ranked in the top 25.
PLAYER SCORES
- Graduate Derek Hitchner (Minneapolis, Minn./The Blake School) is tied for 13th place after an even-par 70. He had a very clean front nine with a birdie on 7 and eight pars. He added two more birdies on the back nine.
- Graduate Roberto Nieves (Miami, Fla./Delaware) had a strong debut round, with a 71 that has him tied for 23rd place. He posted two birdies.
- Graduate Sam Choi (Anaheim, Calif./New Mexico) is tied for 30th after a 72. His round included two birdies on the back nine.
- Graduate Luke Gifford (Boca Raton, Fla./South Florida) is tied for 61st after a 76. He recorded two birdies on the back nine.
- Senior William Mouw (Chino, Calif./Ontario Christian HS) is tied for 68th after a 77.
UP NEXT
The Waves will start on the 10th tee for Saturday's second round at 8:15 a.m. CT / 6:15 a.m. PT. They'll be paired with North Carolina and Alabama.
THE NUMBERS
Team Scores: 1. Stanford 270; 2. Illinois 271; 3. Florida 277; 4. Oklahoma State 283; T5. Arizona State 285; T5. Indiana 285; 7. Northwestern 287; T8. Arizona 289; T8. Florida State 289;
T8. Pepperdine 289; T11. North Carolina 290; T11. Alabama 290; 13. Baylor 291; 14. Texas 292; 15. Army 307.
Top Individuals: T1. Karl Vilips (Stanford) 65; T1. Adrien Dumont de Chassart (Illinois) 65; T3. Michael Thorbjornsen (Stanford) 67; T3. Tommy Kuhl (Illinois) 67; T5. four players tied at 68.
