Despite both teams winning the Pac-10 last year, UCLA men’s and women’s golf faced underdog status heading into this year’s conference championships.
Thanks to successful birdies on key holes, however, both teams garnered second place finishes in the tournament. And to make the success sweeter, women’s sophomore and All-American Tiffany Joh won the Pac-10 Championship in a sudden death playoff against Arizona State’s Anna Nordqvist.
Nordqvist began the tournament well, scoring 68 (-4) in the first round, while Joh scored 74. As the second and third rounds came around, Joh was able to keep steady and score a 70 and 74, respectively. Nordqvist was not able to repeat her first round results, as she scored 72 followed by a disappointing 78 in the third and last day of the tournament.
Joh and Nordqvist both finished regulation with a final individual score of 218 (+2). During the second hole of the playoff, Nordqvist’s par was outdone by Joh’s birdie, awarding her the Pac-10 individual champion title.
“I was just taking one hole at a time,” Joh said. “But honestly Anna is a phenomenal player. … I wouldn’t have honestly thought that I had a chance today. A few things just didn’t go her way.”
Also contributing for the No. 9 Bruins was freshman Sydnee Michaels, senior Hannah Jun and sophomore Maiya Tanaka. Michaels proved herself to be a resourceful rookie, tying for 15th place with a total individual score of 231 (+15). Jun finished the three-day tournament in 18th place, with a total individual score of 232 (+16). Tanaka, who has been a pleasant surprise for UCLA this season, scored 234, coming in two places behind Jun.
With Joh’s tremendous effort, the women’s team accumulated a total of 915 (+51) points to finish behind No. 1 Arizona State (897, +33). Coming in third was crosstown rival USC, who began the tournament well but couldn’t catch up with the Bruins. The Women of Troy finished with a combined score of 921 (+57).
For the men’s Pac-10 Championship, it was a different story. In fact, the No. 5 UCLA men’s team was playing a game of catch-up. USC was crowned Pac-10 Champion with a total score of 1389 (-51). Trojan Jamie Lovemark won the individual title with a score of 269 (-19).
“Our hats are off to USC,” UCLA coach O.D. Vincent said. “It was an awesome performance.”
The Bruins came in second with a three-day total score of 1425 (-15). They were followed by Arizona State who came in third with a total score of 1433 (-7).
Last year’s Pac-10 Champion Daniel Im was able to step up at the championships after a generally average season. Im began the tournament tied at second. However, he slipped in the last day of the competition and ended the tournament in fifth. Im finished with individual total score of 280 (-8).
“It is nice to see Daniel playing well and enjoying himself,” Vincent said. “He has that “˜look’ again.”
The men’s golf team will face the Trojans again at the Lexus Gauntlet Dual Match held in Los Angeles on May 14. As for the women, they are heading to the NCAA Regional.