By Derrick Ow — Reporter
Day 1
It was tough sledding for the San Jose State men’s golf team in Chula Vista, Calif.
The Spartans struggled out of the gate during the first round of the Lamkin Grips San Diego Classic. SJSU shot a whopping 24-over-par 312 which puts them 29 shots behind the University of San Diego who leads the tournmaent at 5-under-par 283. San Jose State is tied for 18th place out of the 20 team field.
Senior Sean Yu had four birdies on the scorecard but also had four bogeys. He had a backbreaking double bogey on the par-4 Fifth hole. Yu is currently tied for 49th place at 2 over par.
The troubles at San Diego Country Club would continue for SJSU. Freshman Kristopher Stiles shot a 4-over-par 74 as his putter went ice cold. Stiles is tied for 65th place.
Senior Nate Jetter also felt the Monday blues as he shot a 8-over-par 80 which puts him in a tie for 98th place.
Sophomore Vijay Srinivasan saw his first action since the 2017-18 season. He did not see any action last season after he redshirted the 2018-19 season. The Fremont native felt the nerves as he shot a 10-over-par 82. He is currently in 106th place.
The nightmare continued when freshman Caleb Shelter signed for an incorrect scorecard. His first round score was disqualified from the team total.
Nevada senior Sam Harned leads the individual portion of the contest. He shot a 5-under-par 67 which included birding four out of his last five holes. UCLA’s Devon Bling, New Mexico’s Sam Choi, USC’s Leon D’Souza and San Diego’s Ryan Bishart all shot 4-under 68’s
The Spartans tee off at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow morning.
Day 2
The San Jose State men’s golf team might have seen their game finally ignite.
Despite the cool conditions at Lamkin Grips San Diego Classic, SJSU made a 15 shot difference with a second round total of 297. The improvement is showing but the Spartans are still 34 shots back of UCLA who sits on top of the leaderboard at 1 under 575.
The Spartans were one of four teams on the day who had a second round score lower than 297. A big reason for that was the play of senior Sean Yu.
Yu made three of his four birdies on the par 5’s. He shot an even par round of 72 to put himself at 4-over-par which is currently a tie for 19th place.
Senior Nate Jetter made a six shot improvement from his opening round. He shot a 2-over-par 74, but is sitting in a tie for 69th place at 10-over- par.
Freshman Kristopher Stiles shot a 75 and sits in a tie for 53rd place at 7 over. Sophomore Vijay Srinivassan felt comfortable during the second round. He shot a 4-over 76 and he is currently in a tie for 91st at 14 over par.
Caleb Shelter had to redeem himself after signing for an incorrect scorecard yesterday. The freshman shot a 7-over-par 79 but his score did not count for the Spartans.
The Bruins were all over both leaderboards today. UCLA senior Devon Bling stormed out of the gate with back to back birdies on the first and second holes. He would add birdies on the 11th, 14th and 17th holes to shoot a 69.
The 2018 U.S. Ameatur runner up is at 7 under which is three clear of Denver’s Jackson Solem and University of San Diego’s Ryan Bisharat. Nevada senior Sam Harned had the lead overnight but shot a 4-over-par 76 which puts him at 1 under for the tournament.
The Spartans tee off their final round off on the back nine. The first tee time is at 8:20 a.m.
Day 3
Like the Southwest Airlines commerical, the San Jose State men’s golf team wanted to get away.
The Spartans limped to the finish as they finished the Lamkin Grips San Diego Classic in 17th place.
SJSU struggled to find their true form as they finished at 51 over par 915. They finished 47 shots back of UCLA who won their first tournament of the season at 4 over. The Bruins finished six shots ahead of Nevada.
Senior Sean Yu had a nightmare final round. He shot a 6-over-par 78 which included six bogeys and two birdies. He finished in a tie for 45th at 8 over par. An underwhelming performance for SJSU’s number one golfer.
Freshman Kristopher Stiles shot a 4-over-par 76. He finished in a tie for 62nd place at 11 over par. A bright spot was sophomore Vijay Srinivasan who was playing in his first tournament in over two seasons.
The Fremont native shot a 1-over 73 to bounce back nicely from his first two rounds of 82 and 76. He finished in a tie for 76th place at 15 over par.
Senior Nate Jetter shot a 8-over-par 80 including a dismal nine bogeys on the scorecard. He finished in a tie for 87th place. Freshman Caleb Shelter saw his score count for the team but it was a 79.
UCLA senior Devon Bling won his third career collegiate tournament as he finished at 4 under par. It did not come easy for him as he shot a 3-over 75. He managed to hang one to a one shot lead over Ryan Bisharat from the University of San Diego.
The Spartans will look to regroup after a week off. Their next tournament will be in Oregon when they play at the Oregon Duck Invitational. The tournament will be from March 22-23 at Eugene Country Club.