After a fall season that lacked a quality win, the UCLA men’s golf team is ready to take on the spring season with a new approach.
Across the board, golfers seem to be focusing on improving their short game and putting in preparation for the anticipated USC Invitational next week.
Senior James Lee, recently back from a six-month wrist injury, was one of the golfers who seemed focused on his putting.
“I hit a lot of greens and fairways,” Lee said, “but I just got to make more putts. If you can putt well, you’re probably going to win every tournament.”
Sophomore Philip Francis said the time off was very important for him to get better and refocus his attention on his game.
“I definitely need to work on my short game the most throughout the year,” Francis said.
Senior Erik Flores has been focusing on being a leader as well as improving his own game, as he and Lee are the only seniors on the team.
“I’ve been tightening up a few things with my swing,” Flores said, “trying to keep a more consistent ball flight.”
BRUINS PERFORMING WELL ON TOUR: One trend that the men’s golf team has seen is their young players performing well on the professional level, playing as amateurs. Over last summer, Francis made the cut of the John Deere Classic and finished in a tie for 34th place.
Not to be outdone, freshman Gregor Main looked toward PGA events for a chance to prove himself.
Main qualified two weekends ago for the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines in San Diego and made the cut in a tough PGA field scattered with professionals. Main was tied for 15th after the first round, and was tied for 36th after three rounds, but finished in 80th place.
Despite his poor final round, making the cut at a PGA event is nothing to scoff at. Since he’s still a student, Main cannot accept any prize money from the tournament, but his finish would’ve won him just over $10,000.
In addition to playing the Buick Invitational the first weekend in February, Main is currently trying to qualify for this upcoming weekend’s Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. He passed through pre-qualifying at Los Serranos in Chino Hills with a round of -2 (70) but finished E (72) and did not qualify to play in the tournament.
UCLA ALUM TIES FOR SIXTH AT PEBBLE BEACH: Another UCLA alumnus performed very well in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am this past weekend. After Saturday’s third round, last year’s Jack Nicklaus Award Winner for College Player of the Year Kevin Chappell was tied for sixth place.
Sunday’s final round was postponed to Monday, due to rain, but Monday’s round was also cancelled so Chappell will finish tied for sixth, winning just under $200,000. Chappell helped lead UCLA to its second golf national championship last season.