The Ducks dropped their first tournament Sept. 25 and 26 at the Husky Invitational in Auburn, Wash. The ninth-place finish was the last thing new head coach Casey Martin wanted.
“We have to focus on ourselves and competing significantly better than in our last tournament,” Martin said in a University press release. “At the same time, there are a number of pretty decent teams in the field and I fully expect us to be in contention.”
After the Monday’s two rounds, the Ducks aren’t just in contention, they own a double-digit lead with 18 holes to play starting Tuesday morning.
Matt Ma is at the helm of a balanced Oregon attack, as four Ducks play for top-10 finishes.
Ma, who was suspended for the Husky Invitational, shot 3-under-par and finished second overall after the Monday’s two rounds. The senior from Aiea, Hawaii, shot a 5-under-par 67 for the first round, which is two shots off his personal best at the Trysting Tree Golf Course in Corvallis, Ore.
Junior Derek Sipe shook off his 17-over-par score at the Husky Invitational to finish 1-under 144. Before Tuesday’s final round Sipe was tied for fourth with three other players. The junior shot Oregon’s best second round with a 2-under.
Joey Benedetti finished with a solid par after day one and is was joined by freshman Andrew Leneve, as both finished in a tie
for eighth.
Benedetti was a part of three varsity players in the top-10 helping the Ducks lead by 11 shots.
Leneve’s score doesn’t effect the team standings, as he and senior Eric Hastings, junior Zeke Reyna, sophomore Landon Banks and freshman Chris Holway compete as individuals.
Senior Jay Snyder shot 1-under, after a difficult morning where he shot 6-over-par. The last member of the varsity five was freshman Marcus Sostak, who finished Monday with a 8-over-par 152.
Oregon finished both of its rounds at par, while Oregon State University, currently tied second, shot 11-over for the first two rounds. University of San Francisco also finished 11-over, after switching round scores with the Beavers.
Ma trails Washington State University’s Zach Bixler, who is two shots ahead. The Ducks and Martin look to stay focused and tap in their first tournament win of the season.