VISTA, Calif. – The Chico State men's golf team completed the first two rounds of the Fujikura Invitational on Monday at Shadowridge Country Club, sitting in third place in the 13-team field at 3-over par through 36 holes.
The Wildcats opened the tournament with an impressive first round, firing a 284 (-4) to take the top spot on the leaderboard after 18 holes. Chico State capitalized on the par 5s early, playing them at 9-under par in round one to set the pace for the field. The Wildcats followed with a 295 (+7) in the afternoon and remain in contention heading into the final round.
Senior Naoki Easterday continued his strong play for the Wildcats, carrying his consistent performance from the fall into the spring season. Easterday led Chico State with a 69 (-3) in the opening round that included five birdies. He followed with a 73 (+1) in the second round and sits in sixth place individually entering the final day.
Freshman Vineet Vallamsetty continued his steady play with back-to-back even-par rounds of 72. Vallamsetty opened with a steady 36–36 in round one and matched that score in the afternoon to sit tied for 15th. "I was able to take advantage of the par 5s," Vallamsetty said. "I was hitting a lot of fairways and greens." As he looks ahead to Tuesday's final round, Vallamsetty noted that improving his putting will be a key focus.
Junior Alex LemMon carded rounds of 71 (-1), 76 (+4), placing him tied for 30th. Ty Weaver, competing in his first collegiate tournament, turned in an even-par 72 in round one, highlighted by a 33 on the back nine. Weaver followed with a 75 (+3) in the afternoon and is tied for 30th.
Grant Burback, playing in his first tournament with the Wildcats, recorded rounds of 75 (+3) and 75 (+3) and sits tied for 50th after 36 holes.
The Wildcats return to Shadowridge Country Club on Tuesday for the final 18 holes of the Fujikura Invitational. Chico State enters the final round five shots behind tournament leader Cal State Dominguez Hills as they look to close out the event strong.
