Cal jumps to big lead at NIT
3/14/2014 | by
see also: View results for National Invitational , Tucson National Golf Resort
Brandon Hagy (64, -8) leads teammate and second-place Michael Weaver (67, -5) by three strokes at the end of the first round
TUCSON, Ariz. (March 14, 2014) -- Cal has jumped out to a 13-stroke lead after firing a 20-under par round of 268 as a team in the opening round of the National Invitational Tournament on Friday. Host Arizona (281, -7) and Oklahoma State (282, -6) are second and third after 18 holes at the par-72, 7,200-yard Catalina Course at the Omni Tucson National Resort.
Brandon Hagy (64, -8) leads teammate and second-place Michael Weaver (67, -5) by three strokes at the end of the first round, while Joël Stalter (68, -4) is a shot behind Weaver tied for third with four others. Keelan Kilpatrick (69, -3) is tied for eighth and James Yoon (70, -2) tied for 12th to round out the Bears. Shotaro Ban (76, +4) is playing as an individual and tied for 63rd.
“I played solid all the way around,” Hagy said about a round that tied for his lowest of the year and second-lowest of his career. “I hit a lot of good wedge shots and putted great from there.”
The Golden Bears are playing for the first time since finishing eighth at the prestigious Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters last Friday-Sunday, ending a string of 37 consecutive top-five finishes dating back to the beginning of the 2011-12 campaign. Cal won 23 of 33 stroke-play events during that stretch with the other four events top-five finishes in match play.
“What a difference a week makes,” head coach Steve Desimone said. “A week ago today we played our worst round in a decade, especially on the front nine. Today, we got started beautifully and we just kept making putts, hitting good shots and playing the game the way it’s supposed to be played. I don’t know if we could have played any better.”
The 54-hole NIT continues with 18 holes scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday beginning at 8 a.m. PDT/MST. Yoon will be the first of five Cal players off the first tee Saturday at 9:30 a.m. PDT/MST. Pairings and specific tee times for the final round Sunday will be announced following second-round action.
About the National Invitational
54 hole men's college tournament hosted by the University of Arizona. Team (best four scores of five players each day) and individual competitions.
Most Popular Articles
2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Guide: Sites, Scores, and Who Advanced
Dec 5, 2025Second Stage is complete and Final Stage awaits at Sawgrass — follow every Q-School leaderboard and the players still chasing
2025 LPGA TOUR Q-Series: Final Qualifying Stage FINAL SCORING
Dec 8, 2025Helen Briem earns medalist honors, 31 players headed to the LPGA next year
2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Final Stage: Ewart Leads Five New TOUR Card Winners
Dec 14, 2025A.J. Ewart topped Final Stage at TPC Sawgrass, leading five players who secured PGA TOUR membership for 2026.
Australian Open at Royal Melbourne: Preview, amateur bios, and how to watch
Nov 30, 2025Rory McIlroy headlines one of the championship's top fields in years - at least four amateurs will have their chance at glory
Inside Gil Hanse’s Restoration of Baltusrol’s Upper Course: A Return to Tillinghast’s
Dec 11, 2025Renowned architect Gil Hanse reveals how he brought Baltusrol’s Upper Course back to life by honoring A.W. Tillinghast’s original