STOCKTON, Calif. – Coming up big when it mattered most, the third-seeded Stanford men's golf team fired a final-round 11-under-par 277 on Wednesday to finish second at the NCAA Pacific Regional and advance to the tournament proper, May 24-30 at Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Led by junior Brandon Wu, who placed second overall, the stellar last day score was the lowest by any team during the 54-hole tournament at The Reserve at Spanos Park.
"I kind of challenged the guys last night to try and win the tournament and they almost did," said Conrad Ray, the Knowles Family Director of Men's Golf. "Winning the day is a great accomplishment and should give us some confidence and momentum."
It marks the 11th time in the last 14 years that Stanford has qualified for the NCAA Championships. The Cardinal owns eight titles, the last achieved in 2007.
Stanford entered Wednesday's final round in fourth place and knew it needed a solid showing to earn one of five spots in the 13-team field to move on. Starting on the back nine, junior Isaiah Salinda set the early tone by blitzing the side in 5-under 31.
"He got it going and everyone was feeling the vibe," Ray said. "It was really good to see him make some putts."
The Cardinal nearly caught frontrunner Kansas on the final hole to capture a share of its third consecutive regional crown. Wu burned the edge of the cup with a birdie putt that also would have tied Norman Xiong of Oregon for medalist honors.
Stanford posted rounds of 285-283-277 to conclude at 19-under 845, one shot behind the Jayhawks. Iowa State (847) took third, followed by Alabama (849) and Oregon (852).
Wu, an All-Pac-12 first team selection, matched his best-ever finish at Stanford. He played brilliantly from start to finish, shooting rounds of 67-67-68 to card a career-best total of 14-under 202. He made only four bogeys.
Playing with Xiong on Wednesday, Wu eagled the par-5 11th, his second hole of the round, and shot a 1-under 35 on his opening nine. On the back side, Wu birdied 1, 5 and 7 to record a 3-under 33.
"It was kind of blow by blow," said Ray of the Wu-Xiong battle.
Xiong two-putted for a par on the final green from about 15 feet to secure the win.
Wu tied for second at last year's NCAA Regional Championships. This week's performance was his fourth top 10 of the season and the fifth time in 11 starts this season that he has paced the Cardinal.
Three other Stanford players broke par, as Salinda (t-23) and David Snyder (t-43) shot 69's and Franklin Huang (t-37) a 71. Jeffrey Swegle (t-37) added a 73.
Impressively, the Cardinal was a combined 4-under on the last nine.
"It was a good team week," Ray said. "They all kicked in at one point."
Snyder, a sophomore, rebounded from a first-round 77 to shoot 3-under the last two days. On Wednesday, he forged an eagle and four birdies to fashion his lowest round versus par on The Farm.
"He's a grinder," said Ray. "I'm really happy for him."
Stanford was one four Pac-12 schools to advance from six regional sites and will join Oregon, Arizona State and UCLA in the 30-team field in Stillwater.
