Raza Shines in Pac-12 Preview Day 1

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NORTH PLAINS, Ore. - Boasting two players in the top 10 overall, the No. 25-ranked University of Oregon men's golf team opened action Monday in sixth place in the Pac-12 Preview at Pumpkin Ridge near Portland.

One of six league teams on hand ranked top 25 nationally by Golf World, UO shot a one-under opening round (287). The Ducks nearly completed their subsequent second round before play was halted because of darkness, and 1-3 holes remaining for each of its five-man lineup.

On the overall leaderboard, No. 1 California (285-273-558) was one of two teams that completed both rounds Monday. The Bears stood two strokes ahead of No. 14 USC and No. 5 Washington who were tied for second place with 16-under, late-second round scores (after 283 and 277 opening rounds, respectively).

Other teams ahead of UO included No. 4 UCLA (four-under) and Oregon State (two-under).

Remaining results for the 12-team field follow: Arizona State (seventh, even-par), No. 23 Stanford (eighth, +4), Washington State (ninth, +5), Arizona (10th, +6), Utah (11th, +7) and Colorado (12th, +18).

Individually for the Ducks, freshman Sulman Raza was tied for third overall with a six-under score with one hole remaining in his second round.

The Eugene native shot his collegiate low round in the opener – a five-under 67 – to lead UO for the third time the last four rounds, while he was a one-under in the second round. His five-under opener was the Ducks' best round of the year (and third of par or better among his seven completed).

Glancing at his first-round scorecard, he shot seven birdies (#4, 6, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17), nine par scores (#1, 2, 5, 7-9, 12-13, 16) and two bogeys (#3, 18).

UO sophomore Rak Cho also stood top 10 overall (ninth, four-under) with two holes remaining in his second round.

His four-under opening 18-hole total was one shy of his freshman and career best (-5) - and tied the team's previous season best by redshirt senior Tyler Parker in the St. Mary's Invitational last week.

His first round scorecard included six birdies (#4, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17), 10 par scores (#1-2, 5-6, 8-10, 13, 16, 18) and two bogeys (#3, 7).

Oregon's three other entries Monday – redshirt senior Robbie Ziegler, Parker and freshman Brandon McIver – were tied for 45th place overall with seven-over scores and three or less holes remaining.

Overall in the individual standings, Washington's Tyler Salsbury led the field at nine-under, and was one stroke ahead of USC's Yi Keun Chang.

Stanford's David Boote was tied for third place with Oregon's Raza at six-under.

Looking ahead, the second round will be completed Tuesday morning, followed immediately by the event's third and final round.