WCC Golf Championships Central

DANVILLE, Calif. – Sophomore Hayden Shieh fired a 5-under-par 67 in Monday's first round of the WCC Championship, leading the Santa Clara men's golf team to a second place finish after day one of the three-day tournament at the 6,783-yard, par-72 Blackhawk Country Club Lakeside Course in Danville, Calif.

Seven strokes separate the second place Broncos, who scored a 2-under 286, from the eighth place Gonzaga Bulldogs. Playing on their home course, Saint Mary's owns a 13-shot lead over Santa Clara entering Tuesday's second round.

"I'm not saying we can't win, but it's going to be very difficult," head coach Rob Miller said of the Gaels' home course advantage. "They play on this course nearly every day."

The frontrunners for WCC Player of the Year sit atop the individual leaderboard after one round. Shieh scored his 11th round in the 60s this year with his 67 and sits three shots behind Jonathan De Los Reyes of Saint Mary's.

"Hayden had a great day," Miller said. "We're looking forward to him putting three rounds together and having a great finish."

Freshman Michiel Eyre III birdied the first three holes and four of the first five until an unlucky bounce cost him on the 16th hole. Still, he finished the round at 2-under 70, tied with four other golfers for ninth-place.

A four-putt on the final hole cost Evan McLeod a chance to finish the round at or below par. He ended the day with a 2-over 74 to place in a three-way tie for 22nd place.

"Evan was solid for us today," Miller explained.

With several teams bunched so closely together, Miller wants his team to concentrate on what they can control heading into Tuesday's second round. "Forget about what's going on around us," he said. "Try and focus on your own game and just play golf."

WCC Championship First Round Team Results

1.     Saint Mary's                273 = 273 (-15)

2.     Santa Clara                 286 = 286 (-2)

3.     San Diego                   288 = 288 (E)

4.     San Francisco             289 = 289 (+1)

5.     Pepperdine                  290 = 290 (+2)

T6.   BYU                            292 = 292 (+4)

T6.   Pacific                        292 = 292 (+4)

8.     Gonzaga                     293 = 293 (+5)

9.     Loyola Marymount       297 = 297 (+9)

Santa Clara First Round Indidivual Results

2.      Hayden Shieh             67 = 67 (-5)

T9.     Michiel Eyre III            70 = 70 (-2)

T22.   Evan McLeod             74 = 74 (+2)

T26.   Charlie Watson           75 = 75 (+3)

44.     Tyler Kertson              85 = 85 (+13)

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