LOS CABOS, Mexico – Santa Clara University's Hayden Shieh won the tournament championship and teammate Tyler Kertson placed second at the 2015 Cabo Del Sol Intercollegiate.
The teammates went head-to-head for medalist honors down the stretch, with Shieh (pictured right) edging Kertson (pictured left) by just two shots.
Shieh used his length off the tee to lead the event in par-5 scoring (8-under) and birdies (16). He was terrific in final-round play Wednesday, recording seven birdies in route to a 4-under 68.
"It feels good obviously to win it," said Shieh. "Both Tyler and I knew we were going to compete with each other today. (Tyler) had a great tournament. As far as my play, I started putting with more confidence as the tournament went on, not leaving anything short. My driving was really consistent, was able to carry it over that 280-mark, hitting my spots."
Kertson had been the overnight leader heading into final-round play. The junior from Paradise Valley, Ariz. shot a 68 Tuesday and posted a 1-under par 71 Wednesday. The runner-up finish was a career-best for Kertson, who was named the West Coast Conference's top newcomer as a freshman.
It's the second collegiate title for Shieh, who won the 2014 Pacific Invitational in Stockton. The Fremont Calif. native and graduate of Mission San Jose qualified for the NCAA Championships as a freshman last season.
The Broncos were 5-over par as a team, placing tied for fourth in the 10-team, 58-player field. Rain during Saturday's practice round allowed for low scoring. The players went on to enjoy near ideal conditions in Baja during the three-day event.
"This fourth-place finish, especially with the close stroke difference won't hurt our ranking," said Santa Clara head coach Rob Miller. "Georgia State and Georgia Southern are projected to be top-15 teams this year. Moving forward, we're still looking for consistency, rotating different guys in and out of those four and five spots. But we do have young guys contributing; we have depth and should continue to get better."
SCU completes its four-event fall schedule at the Bill Cullum Invitational at Wood Ranch in Simi Valley, Calif. Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 19-20.
4/10 SANTA CLARA (293-287-289) 869 +5
1 Hayden Shieh 69 | 70 | 68 = 207 -9
2 Tyler Kertson 70 | 68 | 71 = 209 -7
T36 Michiel Eyre III 81 | 71 | 74 = 226 +10
T40 Gio Gandionco 73 | 78 | 77 = 228 +12
55 Evan McLeod 84 | 83 | 76 = 243 +27
INDIVIDUALS
T40 Derek Ackerman 75 | 72 | 81 = 228 +12
T42 Charlie Watson 83 | 74 | 72 = 229 +13
56 Drew Miller 88 | 84 | 84 = 256 +40
Cabo Del Sol Intercollegiate
Dates (Site): Sunday through Tuesday, Oct. 4-6 (Los Cabos, Mexico)
Host: Santa Clara
Field (10 teams): Georgia State, UC Irvine, Georgia Southern, UT Arlington, Cal State Northridge, Santa Clara, Louisiana, Seattle, Stephen F. Austin, Georgia State
Details: 54 holes over three days, 18 holes each day – alternating courses. Tee times will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Course(s): Cabo del Sol Ocean - Tournament
Tees Par: 72 Yardage: 7091
Cabo del Sol Desert - Tournament
Tees Par: 72 Yardage: 7049
Course Website: CaboDelSol.com
Course Number: 1-877-703-4394
Live Scoring: GolfStat.com
