Cougs post program's fifth-lowest 54-hole score at the 2022 Visit Stockton Invite

STOCKTON, Calif. – The Washington State men's golf team posted its third runner-up finish of the fall Saturday, October 22, as the Cougars concluded the 2022 Visit Stockton Invitational in a tie for second place after carding 16-under; 836.

It is Washington State's second-straight runner-up finish, as the Cougars ended the 2022 Oregon State Invitational in second their last time out. It was also another historic trip to the Stockton Country Club for the Cougs. Washington State's 54-hole score of 836 matches the program's fifth-lowest three-round score in school history, which was first recorded at the 2015 Itani Quality Homes Collegiate at Palouse Ridge in Pullman. At last season's Visit Stockton Invitational, Washington State set the school record for the lowest 54-hole score in school history at 816 to win the tournament. Additionally, WSU's score of 16-under-par at the 2022 Visit Stockton Invitational is the sixth-best 54-hole score vs. par in program history.

Washington State recorded the best team score in the tournament's third round by carding 6-under; 278 in the frame. WSU's performance on Saturday allowed the Cougars to move up three spots on the team leaderboard to finish the 2022 Visit Stockton Invitational in a tie for second with UC Irvine.

"All in all, it was a good weekend, said WSU Men's Golf Head Coach Dustin White. "I think we're a bit disappointed we weren't able to capitalize more on certain holes, but the guys played hard and had the low round of the day today. That shows some grit, which we love."

Freshman Sam Renner nearly broke the Washington State men's golf freshman record for the lowest three-round score, as the Bend, Oregon native carded 7-under; 206 to finish in a tie for eighth at the 2022 Visit Stockton Invitational. Renner was just one stroke shy of matching Aaron Whalen's WSU freshman record for the lowest 54-hole score of 8-under; 205, which was set during the 2015-16 season at Itani Quality Homes Collegiate at Palouse Ridge in Pullman.

Renner's score of 7-under also puts him in a tie with Blake Snyder for the 13th-lowest 54-hole score vs. par in WSU men's golf history. It is the first top-10 finish of Renner's WSU career, as the freshman carded 3-under; 68 in Saturday's third round to finish in a tie for eighth place with Rei Harashima of UC Irvine.

Junior Preston Bebich also gave Washington State a top-10 finish in Stockton by carding 6-under; 207 to finish 10th on the player leaderboard. The junior from Gig Harbor, Washington was one of three WSU golfers to finish under round in Saturday's third round, as Bebich shot 2-under; 69.

"Sam and Preston had solid weeks and it's nice to see them continue to play good golf," the head coach said of his top-10 finishers. "I feel like we're close to putting it all together, just need to keep working at it and get the most out of each round. We'll get ready for Poppy Hills and look to finish off the fall on a strong note."

Freshman Daniel Kim also concluded Saturday's third round carding under par, as he shot 1-under; 70 to post his second under-par round of the fall.

Senior Pono Yanagi and junior Jaden Cantafio were among the four WSU golfers to finish inside the top 50 at the 2022 Visit Stockton Invitational. Yanagi ended the tournament at 1-over; 214 to finish tied for 37th,  while Cantafio he carded even par in his final round to finish in a tie for 43rd at 2-over; 215.

Representing WSU as an individual at the Visit Stockton Invitational was sophomore Franklin Lydra, who tied for 55th with teammate his WSU teammate Daniel Kim. Both Cougars concluded the tournament at 5-over; 218.

Grand Canyon University took the team title after they closed out the 2022 Visit Stockton Invitational shooting 22-under; 830. George Washington University's Jakub Hrinda won the individual title after carding 14-under; 199 after 54-holes.

Next up, WSU will head back to Northern California to compete in the Saint Mary's Invitational in Monterey, California to close out the fall portion of the 2022-23 schedule. The three-round tournament will be played on Oct. 31 - Nov 2.

For more information on the Washington State men's golf team, follow @WSUCougarMGolf on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.