VALENCIA, Calif. - Junior Darien Zhao tied for first to lead UC Irvine men's golf to a third-place team finish at the Bill Cullum Invitational.
 
Zhao carded an even-par 72 in Tuesday's final round at The Oaks Club at Valencia to come in at 6-under 210 (68-70-72). He closed out the tournament tied atop the leaderboard with Felix Schrott of CSUN, but Schrott won a one-hole playoff to claim individual medalist honors. Zhao led all players with 16 birdies through three rounds.
 
As a team, the Anteaters finished below par for the second-straight tournament, combining for a 3-under 861 (283-284-294). Host CSUN (852) held off a surging California Baptist (853) for the one-stroke victory as the Lancers climbed two spots with a tournament-best 276 in the final round.
 
Junior Kolbe Irei registered his second top-20 finish of the young season, placing 13th overall at 1-under 215 (71-72-72). Freshman Rei Harashima also had a top-15 showing at even-par 216 (69-68-79).
 
Redshirt freshman Jin Nakao tied for 39th (224), while freshman Andy Zou rounded out UCI's 5-count-4 lineup in a tie for 42nd (225).
 
Two 'Eaters were also competing as individuals with sophomore Kevin McGough tying for 31st (222) and sophomore Johnny Bai tying for 42nd (225).
 
UC Irvine will be back in action next week, traveling to the Central Valley for the Visit Stockton Invitational, Oct. 20-22.