Wednesday, January 29
Thousand Oaks, Calif.
All Day
USC
vs
Southwestern Invitational
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
Photo by: John McGillen/USC Athletics
USC Finishes Out Southwestern Invitational Tied for Sixth
January 29, 2025 | Men's Golf
Junior Antonio Safa led the way as he tied for 13th at even-par for the tournament
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – USC's junior Antonio Safa brought home his second top-25 finish this season, as he tied for 13th. The Trojans moved up one spot as a team on the final day, putting them in a tie for sixth out of 14 teams with a one-over par final round to make them 11-over par (283+295+285=863) on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the Sherwood Country Club.
Safa ended his time in Thousand Oaks with a two-under-par (69) third round that put him even-par for the tournament. On the final day, USC counted 69-71-72-73 (285, +1), keeping them one stroke ahead of eighth and six back of fifth. No. 5 Texas won the invitational at -8.
"It was a solid finish in our first event this spring," head coach Mark Hankins said. "We jumped out to a great start in tough conditions round 1, dropped too many shot the second day and then fought hard to gain ground today in round 3."
Safa led the Trojans throughout the tournament, and today was no different, as he posted the best score for USC and pulled out his second round in the 60s this tournament. Safa was even-par on the front nine (35) but found a groove on the back as he birdied holes 10 and 14 and played bogeyless on his way to a 34 (-2).
In his first career tournament, freshman Jaden Dumdumaya was impressive, finishing second amongst the team and tying for 26th in the field. Dumdumaya, for the second time in the tournament, birdied the par-five No. 7, and from there, mixed-and-match two bogeys and one more birdie to record a 71 (E). The freshman concluded his tournament at three-over par, as he went 71-74-71.
"Our team depth was impressive, and we got contributions from all five guys," Hankins said. "Congrats to Antonio for posting two rounds in the 60's and leading the team this week. Jaden also had a great finish in his first team event and really played smart and patient all week."
Senior Gavin Aurilia and freshman Jack Buchanan filled out the remaining counting scores, as Aurilia posted a 72 (+1) and Buchanan had a 73 (+2). Aurilia ended up tied for 31st after rallying back from a 75 (+4) on the first day. The senior followed that with an even-par second round, and today, he was one-over par to make him five-over par total. Buchananan moved up four spots on the day into a tie for 52nd, as he was two-over par in the final round and finished 11-over par overall.
Sophomore Jack Jerge posted the last score for the Trojans, a 74 (+3), and finished six-over par overall; Jerge ended up 39th in the field.
USC returns to action at the Arizona N.I.T. starting Monday, Feb. 3, through Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the Tucson National Golf Resort in Tucson, Ariz.
For more information on the USC men's golf team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com. Fans of the Trojans can follow the team on Instagram and on X @USCMensGolf.
TEAM LEADERBOARD
Safa ended his time in Thousand Oaks with a two-under-par (69) third round that put him even-par for the tournament. On the final day, USC counted 69-71-72-73 (285, +1), keeping them one stroke ahead of eighth and six back of fifth. No. 5 Texas won the invitational at -8.
"It was a solid finish in our first event this spring," head coach Mark Hankins said. "We jumped out to a great start in tough conditions round 1, dropped too many shot the second day and then fought hard to gain ground today in round 3."
Safa led the Trojans throughout the tournament, and today was no different, as he posted the best score for USC and pulled out his second round in the 60s this tournament. Safa was even-par on the front nine (35) but found a groove on the back as he birdied holes 10 and 14 and played bogeyless on his way to a 34 (-2).
In his first career tournament, freshman Jaden Dumdumaya was impressive, finishing second amongst the team and tying for 26th in the field. Dumdumaya, for the second time in the tournament, birdied the par-five No. 7, and from there, mixed-and-match two bogeys and one more birdie to record a 71 (E). The freshman concluded his tournament at three-over par, as he went 71-74-71.
"Our team depth was impressive, and we got contributions from all five guys," Hankins said. "Congrats to Antonio for posting two rounds in the 60's and leading the team this week. Jaden also had a great finish in his first team event and really played smart and patient all week."
Senior Gavin Aurilia and freshman Jack Buchanan filled out the remaining counting scores, as Aurilia posted a 72 (+1) and Buchanan had a 73 (+2). Aurilia ended up tied for 31st after rallying back from a 75 (+4) on the first day. The senior followed that with an even-par second round, and today, he was one-over par to make him five-over par total. Buchananan moved up four spots on the day into a tie for 52nd, as he was two-over par in the final round and finished 11-over par overall.
Sophomore Jack Jerge posted the last score for the Trojans, a 74 (+3), and finished six-over par overall; Jerge ended up 39th in the field.
USC returns to action at the Arizona N.I.T. starting Monday, Feb. 3, through Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the Tucson National Golf Resort in Tucson, Ariz.
For more information on the USC men's golf team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com. Fans of the Trojans can follow the team on Instagram and on X @USCMensGolf.
TEAM LEADERBOARD
| Place | Team | R1 | R2 | R3 | Score |
| 1st | #5 Texas | 289 | 277 | 278 | -8 |
| 2nd | #32 San Diego State | 276 | 290 | 279 | -7 |
| 3rd | #15 Vanderbilt | 282 | 287 | 279 | -4 |
| 4th | #19 Pepperdine | 291 | 280 | 281 | E |
| 5th | #14 Florida | 293 | 281 | 283 | +5 |
| T6th | #43 USC | 283 | 295 | 285 | +11 |
| T6th | #44 UNLV | 285 | 279 | 299 | +11 |
| 8th | #24 Duke | 296 | 285 | 283 | +12 |
| 9th | California | 293 | 294 | 280 | +15 |
| 10th | Washington | 299 | 286 | 285 | +18 |
| 11th | San Jose State | 286 | 295 | 290 | +19 |
| 12th | #10 UCLA | 297 | 294 | 288 | +27 |
| 13th | #11 Arizona | 298 | 298 | 288 | +32 |
| 14th | Chattanooga | 309 | 287 | 292 | +36 |
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