Tuesday, February 26
Westlake Village, CA
All Day
USC
vs
Southwestern Invitational
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
USC won the Southwestern Invitational by one stroke today while Justin Suh, with the clinching birdie, won his second title this year.
Photo by: John McGillen/USC Athletics
Justin Suh Clinches No. 3 USC's Southwestern Invitational Title With Birdie On 18
February 26, 2019 | Men's Golf, Features
Trojans win for third time this season while Suh captures second individual crown of senior year.
Senior Justin Suh fired his third straight 4-under 68 for his eighth career individual title, but it was his 12-foot birdie on 18 that clinched the No. 3 USC men's golf team's tournament title as the Trojans came from behind to capture the Southwestern Invitational at the North Ranch C.C. on Tuesday (Feb. 26).
Troy secured its third win of the season but only after giving up a seven-stroke lead at the beginning of the final round. Pac-12 rivals UCLA and Cal both claimed the lead during the final nine holes and the Bears moved out to a two-stroke lead late in the day.
But sophomore Kaito Onishi, after a Cal bogey on 17, birdied 18 to even the team scoring at 3-under, setting up Suh's winning putt. USC won at 4-under 860 (284-285-291), a shot better than the Bears and five better than third-place UCLA.
Suh, who entered the tournament leading USC with a stroke average of 68.93, lowered it to 68.78 after posting a 54-hole 12-under 204 (68-68-68), coming from behind to win by four strokes for his eighth career title, second this season. Pepperdine's Clay Feagler, the 36-hole leader by a stroke, took second at 8-under. Suh was 1-over through 5 holes, but finished the final 13 holes at 5-under with six birdies.
Said USC Coach Chris Zambri: "Justin Suh had another amazing week. It's crazy the difference one guy can make. He is so special. We've all been lucky to be a part of this."
Suh extended his streak of top 15 finishes to six, which includes four top 4 results. He now has a team-best 12 rounds in the 60s and has been par or better in 16 of 18 rounds.
"Today was one of those picture-perfect endings," Suh said. "Coach Z told me on the 17 tee that we were one back. During the walk after I hit my drive on 18, I smirked because I knew this was one of those team moments I was itching for.
"For my teammate Kaito to make a birdie on 18 before me, it was such a great feeling grabbing the win with that last putt. I'm so happy to see the work we've put in pay off."
Onishi's birdie on 18 – one of only two he had today -- not only helped USC to the win, but secured a tie for 10th at even 216 (69-72-75), his third top 10 this season.
Junior Kyle Suppa finished 19th at 3-over 219 (76-72-71), going 1-under today with three front 9 birdies to earn his fourth straight top 19 finish.
Sophomore Issei Tanabe (72-74-79) and senior Sam Kim (75-73-77) tied for 38th at 9-over 225. Freshman Charlie Reiter, playing individually, tied for 32nd at 7-over 223 (76-73-74).
Troy secured its third win of the season but only after giving up a seven-stroke lead at the beginning of the final round. Pac-12 rivals UCLA and Cal both claimed the lead during the final nine holes and the Bears moved out to a two-stroke lead late in the day.
But sophomore Kaito Onishi, after a Cal bogey on 17, birdied 18 to even the team scoring at 3-under, setting up Suh's winning putt. USC won at 4-under 860 (284-285-291), a shot better than the Bears and five better than third-place UCLA.
Suh, who entered the tournament leading USC with a stroke average of 68.93, lowered it to 68.78 after posting a 54-hole 12-under 204 (68-68-68), coming from behind to win by four strokes for his eighth career title, second this season. Pepperdine's Clay Feagler, the 36-hole leader by a stroke, took second at 8-under. Suh was 1-over through 5 holes, but finished the final 13 holes at 5-under with six birdies.
Said USC Coach Chris Zambri: "Justin Suh had another amazing week. It's crazy the difference one guy can make. He is so special. We've all been lucky to be a part of this."
Suh extended his streak of top 15 finishes to six, which includes four top 4 results. He now has a team-best 12 rounds in the 60s and has been par or better in 16 of 18 rounds.
"Today was one of those picture-perfect endings," Suh said. "Coach Z told me on the 17 tee that we were one back. During the walk after I hit my drive on 18, I smirked because I knew this was one of those team moments I was itching for.
"For my teammate Kaito to make a birdie on 18 before me, it was such a great feeling grabbing the win with that last putt. I'm so happy to see the work we've put in pay off."
Onishi's birdie on 18 – one of only two he had today -- not only helped USC to the win, but secured a tie for 10th at even 216 (69-72-75), his third top 10 this season.
Junior Kyle Suppa finished 19th at 3-over 219 (76-72-71), going 1-under today with three front 9 birdies to earn his fourth straight top 19 finish.
Sophomore Issei Tanabe (72-74-79) and senior Sam Kim (75-73-77) tied for 38th at 9-over 225. Freshman Charlie Reiter, playing individually, tied for 32nd at 7-over 223 (76-73-74).
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