SAN MARTIN, Calif. – Four Stanford student-athletes finished under par in the final round of the Gifford Collegiate Championship at CordeValle Country Club. Franklin Huang (66), Maverick McNealy (68), David Boote (69) and Viraat Badhwar (69) each signed off on red scores at the par-71 track, leading Stanford to a third-place standing in its fall finale.
Stanford’s 8-under 347 was the best score recorded among the 10-team field Tuesday, and 10 strokes better than its round one day prior.
The Cardinal (362-357-347) was 1-over through three rounds, taking bronze behind UCLA (-15) and USC (-12). In fact, the Cardinal concluded the first half of the 2014-15 campaign by placing fourth or better in four of five events, including a win at the Southwestern Intercollegiate.
“I’m happy the guys hung in there and ended on a high note with the best round of the day,” said Conrad Ray, the Knowles Family Director of Men’s Golf. “The fall was a productive campaign for us, with everyone seeing action and picking up valuable experience. We have a lot of work to do in the offseason, but we are excited about this team and our potential.”
Northwestern’s Dylan Wu took medalist honors at 9-under.
Badhwar (7th), Boote (t-8th) and Huang (t-8th) gave the Cardinal three top-10 finishers.
Badhwar (69-71-69) was 4-under overall, one shot ahead of Boote (68-73-69) and Huang (73-71-66).
At one point during Wednesday’s round, Huang was 7-under before bogeys on his final two holes.
McNealy (75-73-68) tied for t-21st at 3-over. His final round came with seven birdies.
Patrick Grimes (77-72-75) was 11-over and Bradley Knox (79-70-78) was 14-over, putting both in the top-65.
Competing as individuals were Jeffrey Swegle (74-68-76) and Dominick Francks (73-76-74), who finished tied for 28th and 51st, respectively.
Stanford has quite the break until resuming action at the Amer Ari Invitational (Feb. 5-7) in Waikoloa, Hawaii.