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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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"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.
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"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."
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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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"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.
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"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."
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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.
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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.
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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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