Raza, Martin Advance to Sectional Qualifiers
EUGENE – Sulman Raza of the Oregon men’s golf team took home medalist honors at the U.S. Open Local Qualifier on Monday, May 18, at Eugene Country Club with a 3-under 68. Head coach Casey Martin also advanced to the sectional qualifiers after sinking a 40-foot putt on the 18th to finish 1-under 70.
Raza, a Eugene native and South High School alum, fired in five birdies at the 18-hole event to earn 1-of-9 spots that advance to the sectional qualifier at the Tumble Creek Club in Cle Elum, Wash., June 8.
Raza was 1-over par after two-putting the par-4 third hole, but was able to get that stroke back after he birdied the very next hole. Two later, he would birdie the par-5 sixth after laying his third shot just short of the pin.
On the back-nine, Raza found birdies on his first three holes, but gave a stroke back on the par-5 16th hole. However, the junior was able to get the stroke back on 17 before heading into the clubhouse with a 2-stroke lead at 3-under par.
Heading into the back nine 3-over par, Martin used back-to-back birdies on No. 11 and 12 followed by an eagle on the 13th to get under-par. Soon after, Martin would bogey the par-4 15th and moved back to even par with three holes remaining.
Sitting at even par with one hole remaining, Martin drained a 40-foot putt to shoot 1-under 70 on the day and advanced to the sectional qualifiers.
In other related news, Edwin Yi, who Martin inked to a letter of intent last fall, was also a co-medalist in his local qualifier after firing in a 71 card at the Classic Club – a course the Ducks played on earlier this spring in Palm Desert, Calif.
Sam Foust, another signee that is set to join Yi on campus next fall, also shot a 71 at the Edina Country Club but will be the first alternate.
A total of 15 golfers affiliated with Oregon teed off at Eugene Country Club on Monday that included 10-of-11 Ducks on the team, four alums and Martin.
