First Round Results

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- University of Denver golfer Petter Mikalsen (Stavanger, Norway) is competing as an individual at the NCAA San Diego regional.

There are 10 players who qualified to participate in the regional as individuals with the top two players advancing to the NCAA's in Bradenton, Florida later this month.

Mikalsen finds himself in a three-way tie for seventh place among the individuals after shooting a 5-over par 77 at The Farms Golf Club following the first of three rounds. Matt Green of Kansas State is leading the individuals after shooting 1-over par with Hayden Shieh of Santa Clara one shot back at 2-over par.

Surprisingly, Mikalsen had just one birdie on the day, on the par 5, 489-yard ninth hole. Even more surprising were his double bogies on the third and sixth holes. However, a good sign for Mikalsen is his track record shows that he improves in later rounds.

"Today the course was extremely challenging between the wind and the rain and just the fact that the course is demanding to begin with," said Denver head coach Erik Billinger. "Petter had a couple of tough holes on the front nine but handled himself beautifully and mentally stayed tough and played the back nine really well. We had a great practice session and we are ready for tomorrow."

Three players share the overall lead in the tournament. Grant Hirschman of Oklahoma, Gudmundur Kristjansson from East Tennessee State and Grant Bennett out of Wichita State all came in at 3-under par.

The overall team lead belongs to Oklahoma at 4-under par, 5-shots better than East Tennessee State.

Friday calls for very non-San Diego like weather. Rain and thunderstorms with temperatures reaching a high of 62 is the forecast, making a tough course even tougher.

 

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