UC Irvine Heads to Indian Wells for Wyoming World Match Play

Monday, February 19

Indian Wells Golf Resort - Indian Wells, Calif.

6:40 AM

UC Irvine

Wyoming World Match Play

darien-zhao-mgolf-2024-wyoming-match-play-preview

UC Irvine Heads to Indian Wells for Wyoming World Match Play

February 17, 2024 | Men's Golf

Live Scoring Bracket Tournament Notes

University of Wyoming World Match Play
Dates: Feb. 19-20 (Monday-Tuesday)
Location: Indian Wells Golf Resort - Indian Wells, Calif.
Par/Yardage: Par-72, 7,376 yards

IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Irvine men's golf team continues a busy month of February with a trip to Indian Wells Golf Resort for the University of Wyoming World Match Play tournament, Feb. 19-20. The par-72 course will be played at 7,376 yards.

The Anteaters are scheduled to play two matches on Monday and one match on Tuesday with tee times starting at 6:40 a.m. They are set to open the eight-team tournament against host Wyoming. Depending on the results, the 'Eaters will then face either Cal State Fullerton or UC Santa Barbara. The second half of the bracket features Colorado, Utah State, Pacific and Sacramento State.

UCI's lineup includes Darien Zhao, Jason Tang, Yaoting Zou, Jin Nakao, Rei Harashima and Kevin McGough.

LAST TIME OUT
UC Irvine had a season-best third-place finish at the Vanharte Orange County Collegiate Classic, Feb. 12-13, at Monarch Beach Golf Links. The Anteaters, who co-hosted the two-day event, combined for a 5-count-4 total of 11-under 829 (279-275-275). Five different 'Eaters closed out the tournament with at least one round in the 60s. Rei Harashima led the way as he carded three-straight sub-70 scores to tie for third. He finished with a collegiate career-best 6-under 204 (67-68-69). Yaoting Zou was sixth overall, coming in at 4-under 206 (70-65-71). His second-round 65 was the best 18-hole score of his collegiate career. Jason Tang posted an even-par 210 (71-69-70) to tie for 13th, and Darien Zhao tied for 15th with a 54-hole total of 211 (73-73-65). Competing as an individual, Kevin McGough also had his first sub-70 score as an Anteater in the second round (68).

BACK TO WORK
Four Anteaters enter the Wyoming World Match Play tournament with sub-73 season averages. Senior Darien Zhao leads the way at 71.56, while freshman Jason Tang is second at 72.00. Yaoting Zou has registered a 72.39 and sophomore Jin Nakao sits at 72.50 through 12 rounds. Rei Harashima is also just above the benchmark at 73.83. Zhao, Nakao, Tang, Zou and Harashima all have at least one round in the 60s and have combined for 16 sub-70 scores.

BREAKING RECORDS
Darien Zhao, UCI's only senior, kicked off the 2023-24 season with a bang as he claimed runner-up honors with a career-best 13-under 200 at the Nick Watney Invitational in September. Zhao opened the tournament with back-to-back sub-70 rounds, carding a 66 (-5) prior to firing a school-record 62 (-9). He finished the first two rounds with 14 birdies and one eagle against only two bogeys for a program-best 36-hole score of 128 (-14). Zhao, a two-time All-Big West selection, has eight career top-10 finishes.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW
Freshman Jason Tang made a statement in his collegiate debut, tying for sixth at the season-opening Nick Watney Invitational. Tang concluded his first tournament as an Anteater at 10-under 203 (74-65-64). He found his stride with a bogey-free second round to jump 40 spots in the standings, and carried the momentum into the final round where he continued his ascent up the leaderboard with a 64 (-7).

UP NEXT
After playing in a tournament in each of the first three weeks of the spring season, UC Irvine will take a short break before returning to action at the UC San Diego Invitational at Torrey Pines Golf Course, March 24-26.