Ducks Sweep at Ka’anapali Classic to Win Fourth Straight

LAHAINA, Maui – The No. 2 Oregon men’s golf team fired in a 10-under 274 performance and cruised to its fourth-straight victory on Sunday at the Ka’anapali Classic. The four wins is UO’s best start to any season, breaking the record previously set in 2011. Aaron Wise claimed medalist honors after sinking a 20-foot putt in a playoff against North Florida’s MJ Maguire on the par-3 18th hole.

UO wrapped up the tournament with three players in the top four and two in the top 15.

“It was a special day and a special fall season,” said head coach Casey Martin. “The guys came out and played beautifully. Everyone is getting better and it’s fun to see them improve.”

The Ducks once again led the field on Sunday and finished with a line of 254-291-274—819 (-33) to win by 24 strokes over UNF (9-under, 843). Wise paced both UO and the 73-person field with a 6-under 65 effort. The Lake Elsinore, Calif., product started the final round with a blistering pace, sinking seven birdies in his first eight holes before cooling off on the back-nine.

“Today was interesting to say the least,” said Wise. “I started off pretty hot with four birdies, but bogeyed the seventh hole. That got me pretty fired up, and I was able to birdie the next three. It was tougher on the back-nine with the winds blowing, but I just tried to keep it in play and give myself a shot at the green.”

Brandon McIver played well on Sunday with a 4-under 67 thanks to his eagle on the par-5 sixth hole and finished in third at 8-under 205.

Jonathan Woo took fourth with an even-par day and a final card of 63-72-71—205 (-8). Hurly Long finished in a tie for 11th after starting the day in a tie for second. The freshman hit some bumpy road on the final day of play, more specifically the par-5 ninth hole where he needed four extra shots to find the hole.

Zach Foushee had a much better Sunday, shooting even par and finished tied for 14th at 1-under 212.

Beyond the Scorecard: Oregon’s fourth victory is the most by any Division I team this fall.  Wise became the second Duck this season to win medalist honors. The win also pushed Martin’s career wins at Oregon to 24.

Odds and Ends: The Ducks’ 33-under 819 was good for second all-time in program history behind the 2011 squad’s record  41-under 811 at the Alister MacKenzie Invitational... All five Ducks finished under par… The Ducks were the only team to shoot under par in the par-4s with a 3.87 average with North Florida in second at 4.06… Wise also led all players on the par-4s with a 3.79 stroke average… The Royal Ka’anapali Course played easier than it did on Saturday, with teams averaging 73.55 strokes… For the third day in a row, the par-3 18th hole played the hardest with a weekend stroke average of 3.51.

Quoteworthy: “Ka’anapali and Hawaii did a great job hosting this event,” said Martin. “the course really showed its teeth the past two days with the trade winds picking up.”

Martin on Wise…
“Aaron came out on fire today and was just special. He’s got that extra gear and really displayed it today. First freshman I’ve ever had to win a tournament like this.”

Up Next: The Ducks will now take a two month break before heading back to the Rainbow State for the Amer Ari Invitational (Feb. 5-7).