The UCLA men’s golf team is ready to surprise the college golf world this week in the USC Invitational Tournament at North Ranch Country Club.
For the first time in months, the defending national champion Bruins have a relatively poor ranking compared to some of their competition. According to Golfweek, USC, Washington and Stanford are all competing in this event, and are all ranked in the top 10. UCLA is ranked 19th.
“We have something to prove,” senior Erik Flores said, “But I kind of like being considered somewhat of an underdog. We might surprise some people.”
Flores is a two-time All-American who is considered a leader on this young Bruin team. The youth, however, have been in the news recently as freshman Gregor Main made the cut in his first PGA tour event a few weeks ago at the Buick Invitational.
“It was pretty cool to be playing with all the guys that I’ve watched on TV growing up,” Main said. “It just gives me a whole lot of confidence into our spring season coming up.”
Sophomore Philip Francis is another young Bruin who has had some success on the PGA tour as well as on the collegiate level. He placed 34th in the John Deere Classic last summer.
“I proved to myself that if I’m playing well, I can compete with the best players in the world,” Francis said.
The players’ PGA tournament experience should boost their confidence going into college events this spring season and the Bruins said they are ready to prove that they are the team to beat. After a poor fall season, the team seems to be coming together at the right time.
“The freshmen were adjusting to things and we didn’t play that well as a team,” Francis said. “Potentially though, we’re really good.”
In addition, the Bruins will have senior James Lee at their disposal, who is competing for the first time since suffering a wrist injury last year. “It’s his big debut,” Flores said. “I’m excited to see what James is going to do.”
Practices have been individualistic this week, focusing on improving each golfer’s weaknesses. One thing that everyone could agree on is that they needed to drive the ball straight to score well at North Ranch. The course is relatively short, fewer than 7,000 yards long, which rewards accuracy more than power. Rounding out the starting lineup of five along with Flores, Lee, Main, and Francis, is freshman Alex Kim.
“Alex is a very straight hitter which is good for this golf course,” Flores said. ” I think our lineup suits it well.”
Despite dipping in the rankings, these Bruins are teeming with confidence heading into this week.
The event will begin Monday and conclude Tuesday in Westlake. Aside from the starting five, Connor Driscoll and Beau Schoolcraft are competing in the event as individuals, giving the Bruins seven golfers in competition.