University of Washington
Waikoloa Invitational
Pan Leads As Dawgs Contend In Hawai'i
February 06, 2015 | Men's Golf
Live Scoring
WAIKOLOA, Hawai'i – No. 20 Washington is off to a hot start at the Amer Ari Invitational at the Kings' Course at Waikoloa on the Big Island of Hawai'I, currently tied for second place just one shot off the lead. Led by a 7-under 65 from Cheng-Tsung Pan, the Dawgs are at 11-under against an elite 18-team field.
“Pan carried us today,” said head coach Matt Thurmond. “What an awesome round by him with no bogeys.”
Washington finished at 277, one stroke back of No. 15 USC who is 12-under. The Huskies are tied with Arizona State in second, while No. 14 Stanford is two off the overall lead and one back of the Dawgs to round out the top-four.
“Of our four counting scores, we only had six bogeys,” Thurmond. “We have been working hard to have clean rounds so that fires me up.”
Indeed the Dawgs did only have six bogeys to go with 15 birdies and an eagle from the scoring players.
“We'll make more birdies so if we keep it clean, we'll be in good shape,” said Thurmond.
Pan led the Huskies and is tied for the individual lead with Jon Rahm of Arizona State. He fired a 7-under 65 that included five birdies, an eagle and no bogeys. Starting on the seventh hole, Pan birdied three of his first six holes and the finished off the round with an eagle three on the par-5 fourth, his third to last hole. Pan and Rahm are one stroke clear of Rico Hoey of USC who is alone in third, while four players are tied for fourth at 5-under.
Also playing well for the Dawgs was sophomore Corey Pereira who is currently tied for 24th at 2-under. Pereira bookended his round with bogeys, but in between made four birdies and no bogeys for a solid round of 70.
The other two scorers for the Huskies were Jonathan Sanders and Frank Garber who each finished the day at 1-under 71 in a tie for 40th. Sanders made two early bogeys, but got his round together to finish by birdying his final three par-5's to get under par. Garber bookended his round with birdies, making three on the day to go with two bogeys and also finish in the red.
The non-scorer for the day was Kevin Kwon who shot 81 and is currently in 108th.
The Dawgs also had two players competing as individuals, including Jordan Lu who is tied for 24th at 2-under. Lu birdied three of his first six holes on the way to a round of 70. Chris Babcock was the other individual, finishing with a round of 79 to tie for 104th.
“Today wasn't great,” said Thurmond. “We have a lot more in us. Pan made it all look good for us today.”
Washington will be back on the course Friday for the second round of the Amer Ari Invitation as they look to get in position to go for the win during Saturday's final round.
Players Mentioned
