April 10, 2011

Results

TEMPE, Ariz. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men's golf team shot a final-round 5-under-par 279 on Sunday and finished in third place at the ASU Thunderbird Invitational, which was played at Karsten Golf Course (par 71, 7,057 yards).

USC won the team title with a 54-hole score of 15-under 837 after a final-round 5-under 279. San Diego State finished second, 14 shots back, at 1-under 851. The Rebels were next at 5-over 857 (after starting the day in a tie for seventh place) and were followed by Cal State Northridge in fourth at 11-over, while California and host Arizona State each tied for fifth at 12-over.

The 5-under round for the Rebels marked their lowest round of the season (relation to par), while the 5-over 54-hole total marked their lowest tournament score of the year (relation to par). The previous lows were 4-under for a round at the Royal Oaks Intercollegiate in November and 7-over for a tournament at the Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate in October.

The tournament featured 13 teams and 75 individuals.

San Diego State's J.J. Spaun earned medalist honors at 7-under 206 after a final-round 67. It marks the second straight year he has won the event, with the only other player to win the Thunderbird two straight years being Phil Mickelson when he played at ASU. CSU's Nick Delio finished second on Sunday at 6-under. UNLV was led by junior Derek Ernst who tied for 12th at even-par 213 after a final-round 71.

Other Rebel individuals: freshman Blake Biddle tied for 16th at 2-over 215 after a final-round 68, sophomore Kevin Penner also tied for 16th after a final-round 73, sophomore Arthur Kim tied for 27th at 4-over 217 after a final-round 69 and junior Colby Smith is tied for 40th at 7-over 220 after a final-round 71.

UNLV will be back in action April 15-16, at the PING Cougar Classic in Provo, Utah.