TUCSON, Ariz. – Cal (268-281 – 549, -27) has extended its lead to 16 strokes at the conclusion of two rounds at the National Invitational Tournament being played at the par-72, 7,200-yard Catalina Course at the Omni Tucson National Resort.
Michael Weaver (67-70 – 137, -7) has taken over the individual lead and is one of five Cal players in the top 11 heading into Sunday’s third and final round of action.
Keelan Kilpatrick (69-69 – 138, -6) moved up eight spots into a tie for second one shot off Weaver’s pace with his second consecutive three-under par round that was the best of the day by a Cal player. Joël Stalter (68-71 -- 139, -5) is another stroke back tied for fourth, while James Yoon (70-71 -- 141, -3) and first-round leader Brandon Hagy (64-77 -- 141, -3) are two more shots behind tied for 11th.
“It’s great to have everyone in our lineup within four shots of the lead,” head coach Steve Desimone said. “It shows the balance and depth we have. I saw a lot of good golf today.”
“Our goal going into today was to extend our lead from where we started and we were able to do that,” Weaver said. “Hopefully tomorrow we can play well and increase the lead even more.”
Despite playing in the last group of the day with winds picking up later in the round, Cal posted Saturday’s third-best round. The seven-under par 281 shot by the Golden Bears was better than all but a pair of teams in SMU (290-275 -- 565, -11) and New Mexico (288-279 -- 567) that started 90 minutes earlier and moved into second and third-place, respectively.
“I’m really proud of the guys,” Desimone said. “Most of the teams with the better scores today teed off early.”
