Cheney Shoots Career-Best 68 Opening Round In Hawai'i
10/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Oct. 26, 2009
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LIHUE, Kaua'i - There's something about Gonzaga University's Derek Cheney and the Kaua'i Collegiate Invitational at Puakea Golf Course.
Last season he shot a career-best 69 in the final round. Monday he shot a career-best 68 in the first round of the three-day, 54-hole tournament. He covered the 6,953 yard, par 72 layout in 35-33 to stand in a three-way tie for third entering Tuesday's second round. He's just one stroke behind co-leaders Thomas Kua of host University of Hawai'i and Boris Stantchev of Loyola Marymount University.
"Derek played great today," Bulldog head coach Robert Gray said of his Richland, Wash., senior. "He hit the ball poorly in Sunday's practice round but came through today. It was a great example of just keeping one's composure and patience."
The Bulldogs are tied for fifth with Sacramento State University at 290, one stroke behind Hawai'i and LMU which share third, and four shots behind second-place James Madison University. The University of San Diego has a solid 10-stroke lead over JMU.
"Derek's score was the difference in keeping us in the event," Gray said. "The other guys struggled to make putts on the Bermuda grass greens and made some mistakes they won't make the rest of the week."
Kyle Huus, Travis Johnsen and Francis Santiago all shot 74, while Jason Azzarito came in with a first-round 75.
"It looks to be pretty bunched up so we'll need to play strong the next two days to finish well," Gray said.
