UCLA men’s golf opens new year with 12th place finish in Southwestern Invitational - Daily Bruin

UCLA men’s golf opens new year with 12th place finish in Southwestern Invitational – Daily Bruin

Posted by author February 1, 2025 Golf

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Golf can be an unforgiving game.

Even if the ball lands in the most unfortunate spot, golfers follow the game’s well-known mantra: play it where it lies.

No. 10 UCLA men’s golf struggled in the Southwestern Invitational in Thousand Oaks, California, sporting a 12th place finish out of 14 teams after shooting a 27-over 879 in its first event of the new year.

As for senior Pablo Ereño, his second round ended in what could have been brutal fashion. After his tee shot landed in a pitch mark, he was unable to get any embedded ball relief.

“I just thought it was unfortunate,” Ereño said. “But that is just golf – you have to play it where it lies.”

Ereño managed to save par on that hole to end his round, and he finished his tournament tied for fifth. This marks his third top-five finish of the season.

The remainder of the Bruins, however, found themselves in the rough. Senior Omar Morales and freshman Baylor Larrabee each carded a 12-over 225, placing them tied for 57th. Junior Kyle An finished 67th with a 15-over 228, and redshirt sophomore Matthew Yamin rounded out the Bruins, tied for 68th with a 16-over 229.

A long hiatus may be the culprit for the team’s struggles, said coach Armen Kirakossian. This week’s tournament was the Bruins’ first since their victory at The Preserve Golf Club Collegiate in October.

“There is always rust, but other teams are experiencing the same thing too,” Kirakossian said. “We were maybe rustier, so a tough tournament overall.”

The Bruins failed to start off hot, posting a 13-over 297 on their first day, landing them at 11th to finish Monday. Their struggles continued to Tuesday, where they finished their second round with a 10-over 294 at 12th place.

When Ereño’s ball landed in a pitch mark on the last fairway of Tuesday’s round, it almost seemed the Bruins would finally catch a break. If the ball landed in its own pitch mark, which is a small indentation made by the ball landing on the fairway, Ereño could drop his ball within one club length of the original spot without penalty.

If he could receive embedded ball relief, his shot onto the final green would be made significantly easier. However, Ereño noted something critical.

“I saw the ball bounce a couple times,” Ereño said. “So that just was not an option for me.”

The ball’s bounce eliminated any chance of him finding relief, as it was now unlikely that Ereño’s ball landed in its own pitch mark. If the ball were to land in someone else’s pitch mark, then the player must play it as it lies.

In a tournament where the Bruins were not matching the high standards they set for themselves, Ereño remained down to earth. Instead of packing up his bags and getting ready for the next day, he played his shot where it was and found a way to make the most of it.

“It’s just who he is – it’s down to his core,” Kirakossian said.

On their final day, the Bruins shot 4-over 288. Ereño’s play in particular improved Wednesday, shooting a 5-under 66 to conclude the spring season opener.

For a team in contention for a conference championship and potentially even a push for a national title, this was nowhere near the start to the spring season Kirakossian was looking for. However, he commended his team’s resilience for pushing through what was not their best golf.

“I told them I was proud of the way they were carrying themselves,” Kirakossian said. “But that’s golf though – it happens.”

The Bruins have the chance to bounce back at the Amer Ari Intercollegiate in Kona, Hawaii. The three-day tournament will begin Feb. 6.