Men?s Golf Concludes Play At NIT In Tucson
TUCSON, Ariz. – Alex Franklin and Kevin Murphy both carded an even-par 72 in the final round of the National Invitational Tournament on Monday to lead the Oregon State men’s golf team in their third tournament of the spring season.
The Beavers finished the three-day, 54-hole tournament with a 28-over 300-295-297--892 at the par-72, 7,200-yard OMNI Tucson National - Catalina Course to finish 13th in the 15-team field.
California was the lone team to finish in red figures as it won by 15 strokes over New Mexico with an 8-under 856.
Franklin, a senior from San Rafael, Calif., notched a top-20 finish with a 3-over 72-75-72--219 to tie four other golfers for 20th place. Murphy, a sophomore from Rogue River, Ore., was a stroke back with a 4-over 75-73-72--220 to tie for 25th.
“I thought Alex and Kevin did a great job today managing their games in some really windy conditions,” Oregon State head coach Jon Reehoorn said. “They hit smart shots and just kept plugging away.
“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get another really good score to go with two of them. That’s on me to get these guys better prepared and ready to compete for all three rounds.”
Junior Chris Tedesco finished in a tie for 52nd with an 11-over 75-73-79--227, senior Scott Kim was tied for 56th with a 12-over 78-74-76--228 and junior Brian Jung wrapped up play with an 18-over 81-76-77--234 for sole 73rd place.
Scott Fernandez of Iowa State ran away with medalist honors with an 11-under 205, seven strokes better than George Cunningham of Arizona and San Diego State’s Xander Schauffele.
The Beavers have a week off before returning to action on Monday, March 9 and Tuesday, March 10 at the San Diego Classic in Chula Vista, Calif.
