Freshman and Chandler, Ariz., product Mason Andersen finished strong Tuesday for @SunDevilMGolf at the Tavistock Collegiate Invitational at the Isleworth Country Club in Windermere, Fla. Andersen shot a 5-under 211 (69-71-71) and finished fifth, just six shots back of winner Dylan Meyer of Illinois who shot an 11-under 205 (67-66-72)..
In the first round, Andersen was at 2-over through his first five holes then birdied two holes, posted par and then opened his back nine with an eagle on the par-4, 409-yard No. 10. His second round he posted five birdies, while in the third round he had three birdies in his first eight holes.
He was one of just two golfers in the 90-man field to shoot 5-under on the par-4 holes and had 13 birdies, tied for fifth on the weekend.
"Mason had a breakthrough week, noted Sun Devil second-year head coach Matt Thurmond. "He managed his emotions and strategy so well. He has potential to be really special and developing more understanding of his thoughts and emotions is a huge step to getting him there. That's a great field on a tough course and he just finished top five. That's huge for us."
ASU finished at 18-over 882 (297-295-290) as Cal won the event with a 6-under 858 (287-287-284).
"We had some great momentum going after the first nine today but just couldn't keep It together. It was a really disappointing event and really a disappointing fall. I thought we would be further along," noted Thurmond. "We've played really tough courses this fall and that's allowed us to see where we are. Now we have a lot to work on and I look forward to all that. We will improve have a great season. These guys care a lot and will do what it takes to improve and thrive."
The Sun Devils, ranked 25th in the Oct. 20 Bushnell Golfweek Coaches Poll, are without sophomore Chun An Yu as he is preparing for the ninth annual Asia Pacific Amateur held Oct. 26-29 at Royal Wellington Golf Club in New Zealand. The winner receives an invitation to the 2018 Masters and direct entry to The Open Championship at Carnoustie in 2018.
MASON ANDERSEN BEST ROUNDS
68/-3, Alister MacKenzie Invitational (first round/Oct. 9, 2017)
69/-3, Tavistock Collegiate (first round/Oct. 22, 2017)
70/-2, Maui Jim Intercollegiate (second round/Sept. 22, 2017)
2017 TAVISTOCK COLLEGIATE/OCT. 22-24
ISLEWORTH COUNTRY CLUB/PAR 72/7,544 YARDS/WINDERMERE, FLA.
TEAM SCORES
1.California 287-287-284=858 (-6)
12. Arizona State 297-285-290=882 (+18)
INDIViDUAL SCORES
1. Dylan Meyer, Illinois 67-66-72=205 (-11)
5. Mason Andersen 69-71-71=211 (-5)
T48. Alex del Rey 76-74-73=223 (+7)
T60. Paul Chaplet 79-74-73=226 (+10)
T60. Blake Wagoner 77-76-73=226 (+10)
T68. Koichiro Ishika 75-77-76=228 (+12)
ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS (ACTUALLY DIRECT DEPOSIT BUT YOU GET THE POINT): Last year Sun Devil men's golf alumni earned $20,292,964 dollars on the PGA TOUR, the top mark in college golf. This year's group through Oct. 22 has already pocketed more than $2.7 million through Oct. 22, 2017.
2017 EARNINGS
Pat Perez, $1.562 million
Phil Mickelson, $359,600
Chez Reavie, $370,375
Paul Casey, $334,254
Grayson Murray, $192,590
Matt Jones, $18,476
In the first round, Andersen was at 2-over through his first five holes then birdied two holes, posted par and then opened his back nine with an eagle on the par-4, 409-yard No. 10. His second round he posted five birdies, while in the third round he had three birdies in his first eight holes.
He was one of just two golfers in the 90-man field to shoot 5-under on the par-4 holes and had 13 birdies, tied for fifth on the weekend.
"Mason had a breakthrough week, noted Sun Devil second-year head coach Matt Thurmond. "He managed his emotions and strategy so well. He has potential to be really special and developing more understanding of his thoughts and emotions is a huge step to getting him there. That's a great field on a tough course and he just finished top five. That's huge for us."
ASU finished at 18-over 882 (297-295-290) as Cal won the event with a 6-under 858 (287-287-284).
"We had some great momentum going after the first nine today but just couldn't keep It together. It was a really disappointing event and really a disappointing fall. I thought we would be further along," noted Thurmond. "We've played really tough courses this fall and that's allowed us to see where we are. Now we have a lot to work on and I look forward to all that. We will improve have a great season. These guys care a lot and will do what it takes to improve and thrive."
The Sun Devils, ranked 25th in the Oct. 20 Bushnell Golfweek Coaches Poll, are without sophomore Chun An Yu as he is preparing for the ninth annual Asia Pacific Amateur held Oct. 26-29 at Royal Wellington Golf Club in New Zealand. The winner receives an invitation to the 2018 Masters and direct entry to The Open Championship at Carnoustie in 2018.
MASON ANDERSEN BEST ROUNDS
68/-3, Alister MacKenzie Invitational (first round/Oct. 9, 2017)
69/-3, Tavistock Collegiate (first round/Oct. 22, 2017)
70/-2, Maui Jim Intercollegiate (second round/Sept. 22, 2017)
2017 TAVISTOCK COLLEGIATE/OCT. 22-24
ISLEWORTH COUNTRY CLUB/PAR 72/7,544 YARDS/WINDERMERE, FLA.
TEAM SCORES
1.California 287-287-284=858 (-6)
12. Arizona State 297-285-290=882 (+18)
INDIViDUAL SCORES
1. Dylan Meyer, Illinois 67-66-72=205 (-11)
5. Mason Andersen 69-71-71=211 (-5)
T48. Alex del Rey 76-74-73=223 (+7)
T60. Paul Chaplet 79-74-73=226 (+10)
T60. Blake Wagoner 77-76-73=226 (+10)
T68. Koichiro Ishika 75-77-76=228 (+12)
ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS (ACTUALLY DIRECT DEPOSIT BUT YOU GET THE POINT): Last year Sun Devil men's golf alumni earned $20,292,964 dollars on the PGA TOUR, the top mark in college golf. This year's group through Oct. 22 has already pocketed more than $2.7 million through Oct. 22, 2017.
2017 EARNINGS
Pat Perez, $1.562 million
Phil Mickelson, $359,600
Chez Reavie, $370,375
Paul Casey, $334,254
Grayson Murray, $192,590
Matt Jones, $18,476