Stanford Storms Into Lead

STANFORD, Calif. – Patrick Rodgers fired a 7-under 63 to help put Stanford atop the leaderboard at The Goodwin, as the first round wrapped up Friday at Stanford Golf Course.

Rodgers, who leads all players in the 18-team field, was joined in the red by Maverick McNealy (-4) and Cameron Wilson (-1). McNealy is tied for third and Wilson is tied for 17th.

The host Cardinal also received even-par rounds from David Boote and Viraat Badhwar. The pair is tied for 26th.

Stanford teamed to go 8-under on holes 7-8-9.

“We’re excited about this start, but it’s a long tournament with a lot of golf left to be played,” said Conrad Ray, the Knowles Family Director of Men’s Golf. “The guys managed the ball well early in the round and we kept the momentum going. We’re hoping for good things tomorrow.”

The action continues Saturday at 8 a.m. (PT) with live results available at GoStanford.com.

Behind Stanford’s 12-under 268 was second-place St. Mary’s. The Gaels teamed to shoot 271 ahead of Oregon (273), UCLA (277) and USC (278).

Rodgers began his round on the par-70, 6,727-yard course by going 4-under on the first nine, heading into the turn with birdies on seven, eight and nine. His lone bogey came on the par-4 12th, but Rodgers followed with birdies on 14, 15 and worked out of a jam for a closing birdie on 18.

A three-time club champion at Stanford Golf Course, McNealy’s familiarity of the track showed with eagles on the par-5 first and seventh. He nearly collected a third eagle on the par-5 16th, as his chip shot horseshoed the hole.

Wilson was 1-under on his front nine and bogeyed three of the first five holes on the back. Birdies on 15 and 18 put him at 1-under.

Boote had three birdies on the front and overcome a double-bogey on the par-4 15th with a birdie on 16.

Badhwar followed his front-half 2-over with a 2-under on the latter nine, which featured four birdies and a pair of bogeys. Badhwar sank a 40-foot putt for birdie on the par-3 14th.