@SunDevilMGolf Right Back In The Mix With Tuesday's Best Round

The Sun Devil men's golf team went to work on Tuesday at the Pac-12 Championships.

Led by freshmen Koichiro Ishika and Mason Andersen, ASU shot 14-under 341 and sits just five shots back of host and leader USC after three rounds at Rolling Hills Golf Club in Rolling HIlls Estates, Calif.

ASU is at 22-under 1,043 (353-349-341) at the par-71/7,130-yard course. USC leads the field at 27-under 1,038 (347-340-351) with Colorado third at 19-under 1,046 (346-346-347).

Ishika posted a 5-under 66 Tuesday which included seven birdies and an clean back nine. His 16 birdies in three rounds is tied for second in the tournament, behind only leader Justin Suh of USC, who leads the field at 16-under 197 (68-64-65). Ishika entered the tournament with seven rounds in his 60s but has three straight and is at 9-under 204 (69-69-66) and in third.
 

Our freshman @KoichiroIshika got after it today... pic.twitter.com/qCtzkzgVwF

— Sun Devil Men's Golf (@sundevilmgolf) April 24, 2018

Freshmen Mason Andersen also continues to play well, as he fired a 4-under 67 and is at 5-under 208 (71-70-67) and tied for 12th as he posted five birdies on the day.
 

"Everybody did their job." ??

These Devils don't quit. @sundevilmgolf's Coach Matt Thurmond talks about having the lowest score of the day and moving to 2nd place. pic.twitter.com/LRfouWnGzx

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) April 25, 2018

"USC played so well yesterday, that the only way we could get anywhere near it for the final round was to have a big day today," said Sun Devil second-year head coach Matt Thurmond. "We didn't do anything special, just took advantage of the par 5's and everyone did their job. I felt like if we could get within six to eight shots we'd have a chance. Hopefully, we will have a shot tomorrow. Today was huge for our freshmen. I say it all the time -- you hope they are sophomores by now. They have done an awesome job and am really excited for them. They have so much enthusiasm and fire and they've improved so much."

Sophomore Chun An Yu is tied for 16th at 4-under 209 (69-68-71) as he has posted 40 pars, just one off the tournament lead. Sophomore Alex del Rey had his best round, as after shooting 73-71 in Monday he fired a 67 on Tuesday and is at 2-under 211. His round included four birdies and an eagle at the par-5, 585-yard No. 15, one of just eight eagles in the tournament. The Championship will conclude with the final round on Wednesday beginning at 8 a.m. PT.

KOCHIRO ISHIKA ROUNDS IN 60S
66/-5, third round at 2018 Pac-12 Championship (April 24)
67/-4, third round at 2018 Bandon Dunes Invitational (March 13)
67/-5, first round at 2018 National Invitational Tournament (February 25)
68/-3, second round at 2018 ASU Thunderbird Invitational (April 14)
69/-2, first round at 2018 Pac-12 Championship (April 23)
69/-2, second round at 2018 Pac-12 Championship (April 23)
69/-2, second round at 2018 The Goodwin (March 30)
69/-3, second round at 2018 National Invitational Tournament (February 25)
69/-3, third round at 2018 National Invitational Tournament (February 26)
69/-3, second round at 2017 Southern Dunes Invitational (October 14)

2018 PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIP
ROLLING HILLS COUNTRY CLUB (PAR 71/7,130 YARDS)
ROLLING HILLS ESTATES, CALIF./APRIL 23-25, 2018
TOP TEAM SCORES
1. USC 347-340-351=1,038/-27
2. Arizona State 353-349-341=1,043/-22
3. Colorado 348-351-347=1,046/-19

TOP INDIVIDUALS/SUN DEVIL SCORES
1. Justin Suh, USC 68-64-65=197/-16
3. Koichiro Ishika 69-69-66=204/-9
T12. Mason Andersen 71-70-67=208/-5
T16. Chun An Yu 69-69-71=209/-4
T21. Alex del Rey 73-71-67=211/-2
T33. Jino Sohn 71-70-74=215/+2
T55. Blake Wagoner 75-74-70=219/+6