Sunday, September 16
Olympia Fields, IL
All Day
USC
vs
Fighting Illini Invitational
Players Mentioned
Sophomore Kaito Onishi took third at the Fighting Illini Invitational, his second career top 3 finish.
Photo by: Tod Fierner
Trojans Take Second At Fighting Illini Invitational
September 16, 2018 | Men's Golf, Features
Onishi, Suh, Reiter all finish in top 6.
Freshman Charlie Reiter fired a 4-under 66, senior Justin Suh closed with a 2-under 68 and sophomore Kaito Onishi finished third overall as the No. 20 USC men's golf team turned in its second strong round in a row to take second at the season-opening Fighting Illini Invitational on Sunday (Sept. 16) at the Olympia Fields C.C.
Â
The Trojans combined for a 1-under 279 and finished second at 7-over 847 (287-281-279), behind only Oklahoma State's winning 11-under 829. California finished third at 15-over 855, Alabama fourth at 18-over 858.
Â
Reiter, in his debut collegiate tournament, turned in a near flawless final round with four birdies without a bogey to tie for sixth at 1-under 209 (72-71-66). He was 2-under on both nines, the long hitter picking up all four birdies on par 4s.
Â
Suh, after his opening 3-over 73, finished with two straight rounds under par to tie for fourth at 2-under 208 (73-67-68). He was even going out today but birdies on 10 and 13 helped him clinch a top five finish after posting eight top 5 efforts a season ago.
Â
Sophomore Kaito Onishi topped both Suh and Reiter, finishing third with his 3-under 207 (68-69-70), three back of first, his final round highlighted by a trio of birdies. The third-place finish was his second career top 3 result after one tie for second as a freshman.
Â
Said USC Head Coach Chris Zambri: "This was a great way to start the year. You don't want to finish as far behind first as we were, but I'm very happy with the way we played in the second and third rounds.
Â
"Charlie Reiter had a very promising debut. On what will be one of the toughest courses we play, he played some incredible golf. And Kaito Onishi and Justin Suh both contributed some great play as well."
Â
Junior Cheng Jin (78-74-76) and junior Kyle Suppa (74-79-75) tied for 60th at 18-over 228.
Â
Â
The Trojans combined for a 1-under 279 and finished second at 7-over 847 (287-281-279), behind only Oklahoma State's winning 11-under 829. California finished third at 15-over 855, Alabama fourth at 18-over 858.
Â
Reiter, in his debut collegiate tournament, turned in a near flawless final round with four birdies without a bogey to tie for sixth at 1-under 209 (72-71-66). He was 2-under on both nines, the long hitter picking up all four birdies on par 4s.
Â
Suh, after his opening 3-over 73, finished with two straight rounds under par to tie for fourth at 2-under 208 (73-67-68). He was even going out today but birdies on 10 and 13 helped him clinch a top five finish after posting eight top 5 efforts a season ago.
Â
Sophomore Kaito Onishi topped both Suh and Reiter, finishing third with his 3-under 207 (68-69-70), three back of first, his final round highlighted by a trio of birdies. The third-place finish was his second career top 3 result after one tie for second as a freshman.
Â
Said USC Head Coach Chris Zambri: "This was a great way to start the year. You don't want to finish as far behind first as we were, but I'm very happy with the way we played in the second and third rounds.
Â
"Charlie Reiter had a very promising debut. On what will be one of the toughest courses we play, he played some incredible golf. And Kaito Onishi and Justin Suh both contributed some great play as well."
Â
Junior Cheng Jin (78-74-76) and junior Kyle Suppa (74-79-75) tied for 60th at 18-over 228.
Â
Trojans Live 09.16.24: Gavin Aurilia
Monday, September 16
