Mickelson Fires School Record 64 At Pac-10 Championships
April 25, 2000
TEMPE, Ariz. - - The OSU men's golf team jumped up to third place at the Pacific-10 Conference Championship on Tuesday, thanks in part to a school record-tying 64 from senior Tim Mickelson at the par 72 Karsten Golf Course. The Beavers are only four shots back of second-place California, and three OSU golfers will start Wednesday's final round in the top ten.
Mickelson, who fired a 70-72 in Monday's first two rounds, shot up from eleventh place to a tie for third after three rounds at 10-under 206, and is two shots out of second. Mickelson's 64 - the low score for the tournament - tied Charles Kingsbaker's 1997 record for the lowest round in Oregon State men's golf history, and featured six birdies, an eagle, and no bogies.
John Lepak, the 1999 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, followed up Monday's 70-67 performance with an even par 72 to remain at 7-under par, and is in a tie for sixth.
Dustin Wayne moved up eleven places into a tie for 10th after carding seven birdies and an eagle en route to his third career 67 in Tuesday's round. Wayne's 67 is the third-lowest round in school history, and is his lowest round of the year.
"We had a fantastic day," OSU coach Mike Ketcham said. "All in all, today was probably the best round of golf I've seen since I've been at Oregon State. The kids did a wonderful job. They were committed to playing well when they came out this morning, and they've been feeling good about themselves all week."
Bryan Geiberger are tied for 42nd at 5-over 221. Arvidson shot a 72 on Tuesday, and Geiberger a 70. Eric Dahm is in 59th after shooting a third-round 75 to give him 236 for the tournament.
Oregon State's best finish at the Pac-10 tournament was fourth in 1994, and they finished ninth last year.
"We had to count an 80 in the first round, but since then they have played strong, solid golf, I'm proud of them," Ketcham said. "We need to come back tomorrow and get that second-place finish."
Arizona State, ranked sixth nationally, leads the team competition by 32 strokes over California with a three-round score of 1,032. At the Conference Championships, teams must send six players, and five scores will be counted toward the team total. During regular-season tournaments, teams send five players and count four.
Arizona State's Paul Casey is in pursuit of his third straight individual conference title, and he looks to be in good position to win again with a six-stroke lead at 18-under 198. Travis Johnson of UCLA is in second place with a 204, in front of Mickelson and Jonas Rennquist of Arizona State.
The teams will wrap up the tournament with 18 holes on Wednesday.
TEAM SCORES
1. Arizona State 339-351-342--1032, 2. California 359-352-353--1064, 3. Oregon State 366-357-345--1068, 4. Oregon 351-356-364--1071, T5. Arizona 362-357-362--1081, T5. UCLA 366-369-346--1081, 7. Washington 354-370-360--1084, 8. Stanford 362-368-360--1090, T9. Washington State 365-374-359--1098, T9. Southern California 371-362-365--1098.
INDIVIDUAL SCORES
1. Paul Casey, ASU 66-65-67--198, 2. Travis Johnson, UCLA 69-70-65--204, T3. Tim Mickelson, OSU 72-70-64--206, T3. Jonas Rennquist, ASU 66-69-71--206, 5. Ricky Barnes, Arizona 71-69-68--208, T6. Matt Jones, ASU 72-71-66--209, T6. John Lepak, OSU 70-67-72--209.
OTHER OSU SCORES
T10. Bryan Geiberger 80-71-70--221, 59. Eric Dahm 82-79-75--236.
