Strong Start
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. - Stanford men's golf began play at the Saint Mary's Invitational with one of the best rounds in school history, firing a 15-under 269 to jump out to an eight-stroke lead following the first round at Poppy Hills Golf Course. The round, tied for the seventh-best in program history, was certainly a special gift for Knowles Family Director of Men's Golf Conrad Ray, who was celebrating a birthday on Monday.
Senior Ethan Ng and junior Barclay Brown are both tied for third following 6-under 65s. For Ng, it was the best round-to-par of his career, besting his previous career-best of 4-under (67) at the 2019 Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate. It was Ng's 15th career round in the 60s. For Brown, the 6-under came up just shy of his career-best 7-under, which he set at the 2020 Cabo Collegiate. It was also his 15th career round in the 60s. Ng tallied a staggering nine birdies in the round, including five straight and seven in an eight hole stretch. Brown tallied a clean card with four birdies, an eagle and 13 pars.
Sixth-year senior Henry Shimp is tied for 11th following a 2-under 69 and sophomore Michael Thorbjornsen is just outside the top 20 following a 1-under 70. Karl Vilips (2-over) and individual Jake Beber Frankel (E) were also on the course for Stanford Monday.
The Cardinal, leading second-place San Francisco by eight strokes, will be back on the course Tuesday morning for the second round.
Saint Mary's Invitational (Poppy Hills Golf Course, par 71)
| Name | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Stanford | 269 (-15) | -- | -- | 269 (-15) |
| T3. Barclay Brown | 65 (-6) | -- | -- | 65 (-6) |
| T3. Ethan Ng | 65 (-6) | -- | -- | 65 (-6) |
| T12. Henry Shimp | 69 (-2) | -- | -- | 69 (-2) |
| T21. Michael Thorbjornsen | 70 (-1) | -- | -- | 70 (-1) |
| T54. Karl Vilips | 73 (+2) | -- | -- | 73 (+2) |
| T33. Jake Beber-Frankel (individual) | 71 (E) | -- | -- | 71 (E) |