Lin Leads Huskies On Day One At Southwestern Invitational
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. – Washington posted a 1-over 289 Monday on day one of the 43rd annual Southwestern Invitational. The three-day event, hosted by defending NCAA champion Pepperdine, is being played at North Ranch Country Club.
Sophomore Teddy Lin led the way for the Huskies, finishing his round with a 2-under 70, good for a tie for seventh place in the 64-player field. Senior Noah Woolsey and junior Petr Hruby both finished even (19th place) while senior RJ Manke, a transfer from Pepperdine, scored a 3-over 75. Sophomore Taehoon Song finished his round with a 79.
No. 21-ranked Washington finished round one in a tie for fifth place alongside No. 8 Texas. Georgia enters the second round at the top of the team leaderboard, having compiled a 9-under 279.
"The team played solid today," said UW assistant coach Thomas Sutton. "I'm really proud of Teddy and his round as he has put a lot of work in over the break. Petr also had a good day. He was forced to play with clubs that aren't his own due to his being lost on the flight over. We are hopeful they will arrive tonight.
"Noah is playing very well at the minute and his round was close to being great," Sutton continued. "A couple more putts fall tomorrow, and I'm excited to see what he can do."
Through the front nine, Manke was even, with two bogies and two birdies, while all of his teammates were over par, good for a team total of 3-over at the turn. Three UW players – Woolsey, Hruby and Lin – were just one-over, however. Woolsey and Lin had both recorded eight pars and one bogey over the front nine, while Hruby carded two birdies and three bogies.
On the back nine, the Huskies started to catch on, collectively notching six birdies and an eagle on holes 10 through 14.
After a double-bogey six on the 10th, Woolsey made up for it with an eagle on the par-5 12th, and then made birdie on the 15th, drawing him even for the round. Meanwhile, Hruby posted birdies on Nos. 12, 13 and 15; while Lin birdied No. 12 and No. 17, while scoring an eagle three on the 15th.
Lin finished the back nine three-under par, good for a 2-under 70 for the round, while for the day, Hurby carded five birdies and five bogies to finish even.
Manke was one-over after a birdie at No. 15 before making bogey and double-bogey over his next two holes. He made a birdie putt on No. 18 to finish at 3-over 75.
"Overall the team finished strong," Sutton said, "and we are looking to building on that for tomorrow."
On Tuesday, the Huskies will tee off along with the last group of teams, beginning at 10:20 a.m. PT. Once again, the Golf Channel will carry coverage from North Ranch, starting at 1:30 p.m. PT.