Colorado University Athletics
Monday, March 10
San Diego, Calif.
All Day
Colorado
vs
First Two Rounds
Swanson's back-to-back 68's have him tied for fifth.
Photo by: CUBuffs.com
Golfers In Third In San Diego's R.E. Lamkin Invitational
March 10, 2025 | Men's Golf
Three Buffaloes In Top Ten
CHULA VISTA, Calif. — The University of Colorado men's golf team spent the entire day in moving around in the top three in the standings before settling in third place here Monday through two rounds of San Diego's R.E. Lamkin Invitational.
Co-hosts No. 25 San Diego State and No. 35 San Diego head the leaderboard, the Aztecs in with a 23-under par 553 team score, one shot up on their crosstown rival Toreros (554). Then come the 33rd-ranked Buffaloes, just two back with a 21-under 555 tally, with No. 58 Santa Clara fourth (561), No. 80 St. Mary's fifth (563) and No. 40 Colorado State sixth (564).
After the first round, the Buffaloes were tied for second with a 12-under 276, two strokes back of co-host San Diego. Of the 16 teams in the field, 12 turned in subpar team scores the first go-round on the 7,033-yard, par-72 San Diego Country Club course. In the afternoon, the four Buffs that contributed to the team total were essentially even six-to-eight holes in, but the flurry over the next few holes that saw CU zoom from 13-under to 23-under, thanks to an eagle and eight birdies.
Three Buffaloes are in the top 10 entering the final round, the only team that can make that claim. And of the seven toughest holes Monday (in order, Nos. 13, 6, 11, 4, 9, 18 and 3), Colorado's five designated scorers played them the best at 9-over; San Diego was next at 10-over, while SDSU was 18-over.
Junior Hunter Swanson fashioned a pair of 4-under 68's for an 8-under 136 total, which has him in a five-way tie for fifth, two off the lead. He had 13 birdies – tied for the most in the field –with 18 pars and just five bogeys, and he played the par-5's at 5-under, the par-3's at 3-under and the par-4's even. He closed his day with 11 straight holes of par or better, including four birdies, two of which came on his last two holes of the day to push him up into the top five. He is very much in contention for medalist honors and/or his best career finish, which was a fourth place showing in the Washington State Palouse Collegiate, the season opener last September. His 136 total through two rounds is his 36-hole collegiate best.
Senior Justin Biwer is tied for 10th after posting a 68-69—137 score (7-under), opening with four birdies and 14 pars for a bogey-free round and nearly did the same the second time around the track (four birdies, 13 pars and a bogey). His only bogey came on his third hole (No. 7), but bounced back with back-to-back birdies and played the last 15 holes at par or better (which he has now done 39 of his last 40 holes). His bogey-free morning round added to his school records as it was his fifth of the season and seventh of his career.
Senior Dylan McDermott is also tied for 10th, reversing Biwer's scores with a 69-68—137 effort. He scored his second and the team's fourth eagle on a par-4 hole this year when he chipped in from about 40 yards out on the 367-yard 17th hole in the second round. The ball rolled up a sharp incline and then rolled slowly back right into the cup. He also had nine birdies and 22 pars opposite four bogeys Monday, and with two more rounds in the 60's, he now has 12 this season, 14 subpar and 19 of par or better in 20 rounds this season, unprecedented in CU history.
Senior Jack Holland is tied for 52nd after fashioning a 71-74—145 effort (1-over par), as he tied McDermott for the second-most birdies with nine to go with 17 pars against 10 bogeys. He matched Swanson's effort on the par-5's (5-under), but was 4-over on the par-4's and 2-over on the par-3's. He was 3-under through 13 holes in the first round before finishing with three bogeys (but a birdie in his last hole), and did the same in the afternoon, with three bogeys in his last four holes. He did birdie his first hole in each round, the 563-yard, par-5 8th.
Sophomore Brandon Knight, after finishing second two weeks ago in Wyoming's Desert Intercollegiate that earned him CU's Male Athlete of the Week honors, cooled off just a bit in recording a 73-74—147 scorecard that has him tied for 61st. He did have eight birdies and 18 pars, but also had nine bogeys and one of CU's two double bogeys on the day. All of his overage was tied to the par-3 holes that he played at 6-over; he was1-under on the par-4's (tied for the second-best by a Buff) and was 2-under on the par-5's.
Freshman Parker Paxton is participating here as an individual, in 75th after posting a 6-over 76-74—150 effort. Starting on No. 17, he had a rough morning with just one birdie and 13 pars but with three bogeys and CU's only double-bogey in the first round as he ballooned to 5-over after just six holes. He then gathered himself in a made 11 straight pars before closing with a birdie. He started in the afternoon with back-to-back bogeys (on Nos. 17 and 18), and then played 10 straight at 1-under with no bogeys before late bogey pushed him back to 2-over for the round.
"Some really nice days from Hunter, Justin and Dylan with some good golf from everyone in spurts," head coach Roy Edwards said. "The team did a really nice job of focusing on themselves knowing it was going to be a long and strenuous day. We were impressed by how everyone hung in there. It's likely going to be a very tough day tomorrow and we need to be patient, smart, and confident."
San Diego State's Justin Hastings holds the 36-hole lead with a 10-under 68-66—134 scorecard, good for a one shot lead over a trio of others; however, there are 25 players within six strokes of the lead, 13 of whom just three back including the three Buffaloes.
The third and final round is set for a Tuesday morning 9 a.m. MST shotgun; the Buffaloes will be paired with the leaders and co-hosts, San Diego State and San Diego, and Santa Clara and will begin play on the 1st through 4th tees.
NOTES: CU is in very good position to post a top five finish for the seventh time in seven tournaments this year, but are also in contention for it second win to go with three runner-up efforts, along with third- and fifth-place finishes … The Buffaloes are also in good position to beat at least two teams ranked ahead of them, up 15 strokes on both No. 22 Brigham Young and No. 32 Notre Dame. There are nine top 60 schools in the tournament … In 20 rounds this season, the Buffaloes have now recorded 16 subpar scores and three others that were even (the only exception a 3-over 283); the 19 rounds of par or better are third-most all-time; the record of 25 was set in '17-18 … With six more rounds in the 60's on Monday, that upped the season total for the Buffaloes to 56, already topping the previous school record of 53 set during the 2022-23 season … The subpar record of 92 set in 2017-18 is well within reach as well, as CU now has 73 on the season … Including his last four holes in The Prestige at PGA West, Biwer went 24 holes of par or better before scoring a bogey; he of course set the school record with an incredible 61 in a row during the fall … The average score for all 192 rounds Monday was 72.12; 72.23 in the first round, 71.89 in the second; there are 43 players who are under par and another six in at even 144's … The Buffaloes combined for one eagle, 48 birdies (the most in the field; St. Mary's is next with 44) and 95 pars (10th; Notre Dame leads with 112); CU has the third fewest bogeys (26) and just two doubles (second) … In addition, Colorado has played the par-3's 4-over (third), the par-4's at 4-under (tied for third) and the par-5's at 22-under (second) … McDermott scored his 11th and 12th rounds in the 60's this season – adding to his CU record to 46 in his career, with Biwer now alone in second with 44; Swanson now has 25 (sixth) … Biwer's eight birdies Monday moved him into second place all-time at Colorado, as now with 479, he trails only Jeremy Paul (486); he passed the other Paul twin, Yannik (475), with his first birdie in the second round.
Co-hosts No. 25 San Diego State and No. 35 San Diego head the leaderboard, the Aztecs in with a 23-under par 553 team score, one shot up on their crosstown rival Toreros (554). Then come the 33rd-ranked Buffaloes, just two back with a 21-under 555 tally, with No. 58 Santa Clara fourth (561), No. 80 St. Mary's fifth (563) and No. 40 Colorado State sixth (564).
After the first round, the Buffaloes were tied for second with a 12-under 276, two strokes back of co-host San Diego. Of the 16 teams in the field, 12 turned in subpar team scores the first go-round on the 7,033-yard, par-72 San Diego Country Club course. In the afternoon, the four Buffs that contributed to the team total were essentially even six-to-eight holes in, but the flurry over the next few holes that saw CU zoom from 13-under to 23-under, thanks to an eagle and eight birdies.
Three Buffaloes are in the top 10 entering the final round, the only team that can make that claim. And of the seven toughest holes Monday (in order, Nos. 13, 6, 11, 4, 9, 18 and 3), Colorado's five designated scorers played them the best at 9-over; San Diego was next at 10-over, while SDSU was 18-over.
Junior Hunter Swanson fashioned a pair of 4-under 68's for an 8-under 136 total, which has him in a five-way tie for fifth, two off the lead. He had 13 birdies – tied for the most in the field –with 18 pars and just five bogeys, and he played the par-5's at 5-under, the par-3's at 3-under and the par-4's even. He closed his day with 11 straight holes of par or better, including four birdies, two of which came on his last two holes of the day to push him up into the top five. He is very much in contention for medalist honors and/or his best career finish, which was a fourth place showing in the Washington State Palouse Collegiate, the season opener last September. His 136 total through two rounds is his 36-hole collegiate best.
Senior Justin Biwer is tied for 10th after posting a 68-69—137 score (7-under), opening with four birdies and 14 pars for a bogey-free round and nearly did the same the second time around the track (four birdies, 13 pars and a bogey). His only bogey came on his third hole (No. 7), but bounced back with back-to-back birdies and played the last 15 holes at par or better (which he has now done 39 of his last 40 holes). His bogey-free morning round added to his school records as it was his fifth of the season and seventh of his career.
Senior Dylan McDermott is also tied for 10th, reversing Biwer's scores with a 69-68—137 effort. He scored his second and the team's fourth eagle on a par-4 hole this year when he chipped in from about 40 yards out on the 367-yard 17th hole in the second round. The ball rolled up a sharp incline and then rolled slowly back right into the cup. He also had nine birdies and 22 pars opposite four bogeys Monday, and with two more rounds in the 60's, he now has 12 this season, 14 subpar and 19 of par or better in 20 rounds this season, unprecedented in CU history.
Senior Jack Holland is tied for 52nd after fashioning a 71-74—145 effort (1-over par), as he tied McDermott for the second-most birdies with nine to go with 17 pars against 10 bogeys. He matched Swanson's effort on the par-5's (5-under), but was 4-over on the par-4's and 2-over on the par-3's. He was 3-under through 13 holes in the first round before finishing with three bogeys (but a birdie in his last hole), and did the same in the afternoon, with three bogeys in his last four holes. He did birdie his first hole in each round, the 563-yard, par-5 8th.
Sophomore Brandon Knight, after finishing second two weeks ago in Wyoming's Desert Intercollegiate that earned him CU's Male Athlete of the Week honors, cooled off just a bit in recording a 73-74—147 scorecard that has him tied for 61st. He did have eight birdies and 18 pars, but also had nine bogeys and one of CU's two double bogeys on the day. All of his overage was tied to the par-3 holes that he played at 6-over; he was1-under on the par-4's (tied for the second-best by a Buff) and was 2-under on the par-5's.
Freshman Parker Paxton is participating here as an individual, in 75th after posting a 6-over 76-74—150 effort. Starting on No. 17, he had a rough morning with just one birdie and 13 pars but with three bogeys and CU's only double-bogey in the first round as he ballooned to 5-over after just six holes. He then gathered himself in a made 11 straight pars before closing with a birdie. He started in the afternoon with back-to-back bogeys (on Nos. 17 and 18), and then played 10 straight at 1-under with no bogeys before late bogey pushed him back to 2-over for the round.
"Some really nice days from Hunter, Justin and Dylan with some good golf from everyone in spurts," head coach Roy Edwards said. "The team did a really nice job of focusing on themselves knowing it was going to be a long and strenuous day. We were impressed by how everyone hung in there. It's likely going to be a very tough day tomorrow and we need to be patient, smart, and confident."
San Diego State's Justin Hastings holds the 36-hole lead with a 10-under 68-66—134 scorecard, good for a one shot lead over a trio of others; however, there are 25 players within six strokes of the lead, 13 of whom just three back including the three Buffaloes.
The third and final round is set for a Tuesday morning 9 a.m. MST shotgun; the Buffaloes will be paired with the leaders and co-hosts, San Diego State and San Diego, and Santa Clara and will begin play on the 1st through 4th tees.
NOTES: CU is in very good position to post a top five finish for the seventh time in seven tournaments this year, but are also in contention for it second win to go with three runner-up efforts, along with third- and fifth-place finishes … The Buffaloes are also in good position to beat at least two teams ranked ahead of them, up 15 strokes on both No. 22 Brigham Young and No. 32 Notre Dame. There are nine top 60 schools in the tournament … In 20 rounds this season, the Buffaloes have now recorded 16 subpar scores and three others that were even (the only exception a 3-over 283); the 19 rounds of par or better are third-most all-time; the record of 25 was set in '17-18 … With six more rounds in the 60's on Monday, that upped the season total for the Buffaloes to 56, already topping the previous school record of 53 set during the 2022-23 season … The subpar record of 92 set in 2017-18 is well within reach as well, as CU now has 73 on the season … Including his last four holes in The Prestige at PGA West, Biwer went 24 holes of par or better before scoring a bogey; he of course set the school record with an incredible 61 in a row during the fall … The average score for all 192 rounds Monday was 72.12; 72.23 in the first round, 71.89 in the second; there are 43 players who are under par and another six in at even 144's … The Buffaloes combined for one eagle, 48 birdies (the most in the field; St. Mary's is next with 44) and 95 pars (10th; Notre Dame leads with 112); CU has the third fewest bogeys (26) and just two doubles (second) … In addition, Colorado has played the par-3's 4-over (third), the par-4's at 4-under (tied for third) and the par-5's at 22-under (second) … McDermott scored his 11th and 12th rounds in the 60's this season – adding to his CU record to 46 in his career, with Biwer now alone in second with 44; Swanson now has 25 (sixth) … Biwer's eight birdies Monday moved him into second place all-time at Colorado, as now with 479, he trails only Jeremy Paul (486); he passed the other Paul twin, Yannik (475), with his first birdie in the second round.
| BUFFALO INDIVIDUALS |
| T5. | Hunter Swanson | 68-68—136 |
| T10. | Dylan McDermott | 69-68—137 |
| T10. | Justin Biwer | 68-69—137 |
| T52. | Justin Holland | 71-74—145 |
| T61. | Brandon Knight | 73-74—147 |
| 75. | *Parker Paxton | 76-74—150 |
| INDIVIDUAL LEADERS |
| 1. | Justin Hastings, San Diego State | 68-66—134 |
| T2. | Jacob Modleski, Notre Dame | 68-67—135 |
| T2. | Harry Takis, San Diego State | 67-68—135 |
| T2. | Louis Grizot, UC Davis | 68-67—135 |
| T5. | Hunter Swanson, Colorado | 68-68—136 |
| T5. | Four others | 136 |
| TEAM STANDINGS |
| 1. | San Diego State | 277-276—553 |
| 2. | San Diego | 276-278—554 |
| 3. | COLORADO | 276-279—555 |
| 4. | Santa Clara | 274-287—561 |
| 5. | St. Mary's | 279-284—563 |
| 6. | Colorado State | 280-284—564 |
| 7. | Loyola Marymount | 289-280—569 |
| T8. | Wyoming | 284-286—570 |
| T8. | Notre Dame | 287-283—570 |
| T8. | Brigham Young | 284-286—570 |
| T8. | New Mexico | 287-283—570 |
| 12. | Fresno State | 284-287—571 |
| 13. | UC Davis | 293-285—578 |
| 14. | UC San Diego | 294-286—579 |
| 15. | Cal Poly | 286-294—580 |
| 16. | Hawai'i | 290-297—587 |
Players Mentioned
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