Wednesday, February 2
Waikaloa Kings Course
All Day
University of Oregon
at
The Amer Ari Invitational
Miernicki Ties UO Scoring Mark at Hawaii Tourney
02/03/11 | Men's Golf
KOHALA COAST, Hi. -- The University of Oregon men's golf team got off to a strong start in its first tournament of 2011, shooting 7-under 281 to stand in fifth after the opening round of the Amer Ari Invitational at the Waikoloa Kings' Course. But the main reason for that was the play of the Ducks' Daniel Miernicki, who fired a 10-under 62, tying Derek Sipe's school record set at the same event in 2007.
The junior from Santee, Calif., who began his round at the par-5 fourth hole on the par-72, 7,074-yard layout, closed with four birdies and an eagle (-6) over his final five holes to grab four-stroke lead over three other golfers entering Round 2.
"Daniel was phenomenal," said fifth-year head coach Casey Martin. "On a day when we weren't playing particularly well as a group, he saved us. I was able to watch his final six holes and it was great to be able to witness such a special performance."
As a team, the Ducks outperformed a trio of top 10 foes and will begin Thursday's second-round ten strokes behind No. 24 USC, but only three shots shy of No. 5 Georgia Tech and No. 4 Oklahoma State for second. Due to a lackluster fall, Oregon entered the week ranked 48th by Golfstat.com after opening the 2010-11 season ranked No. 1.
UO's team score received a boost from No. 5 man Robbie Ziegler, who shot 1-under 71 to tie for 31st. The redshirt sophomore from Canby, Ore., had two birdies against just one bogey.
Hawaiian native Sean Maekawa was even-par while All-American Eugene Wong struggled to a 4-over 76 and Isaiah Telles carded a 6-over 78.
The Ducks were runners up at the Amer Ari Invitational last season.
Miernicki's previous low in an Oregon polo was a 64 last season when he won medalist honors at the U.S. Intercollegiate at Stanford G.C. His 62 on Wednesday set a new course record at the Kings' Course (previously 64). Sipe's 62 also came at Waikoloa, but on a different course.
The junior from Santee, Calif., who began his round at the par-5 fourth hole on the par-72, 7,074-yard layout, closed with four birdies and an eagle (-6) over his final five holes to grab four-stroke lead over three other golfers entering Round 2.
"Daniel was phenomenal," said fifth-year head coach Casey Martin. "On a day when we weren't playing particularly well as a group, he saved us. I was able to watch his final six holes and it was great to be able to witness such a special performance."
As a team, the Ducks outperformed a trio of top 10 foes and will begin Thursday's second-round ten strokes behind No. 24 USC, but only three shots shy of No. 5 Georgia Tech and No. 4 Oklahoma State for second. Due to a lackluster fall, Oregon entered the week ranked 48th by Golfstat.com after opening the 2010-11 season ranked No. 1.
UO's team score received a boost from No. 5 man Robbie Ziegler, who shot 1-under 71 to tie for 31st. The redshirt sophomore from Canby, Ore., had two birdies against just one bogey.
Hawaiian native Sean Maekawa was even-par while All-American Eugene Wong struggled to a 4-over 76 and Isaiah Telles carded a 6-over 78.
The Ducks were runners up at the Amer Ari Invitational last season.
Miernicki's previous low in an Oregon polo was a 64 last season when he won medalist honors at the U.S. Intercollegiate at Stanford G.C. His 62 on Wednesday set a new course record at the Kings' Course (previously 64). Sipe's 62 also came at Waikoloa, but on a different course.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
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