Tahvildari just two shots off the lead at State Finals
GOLETA -- Orange Coast College men's golf standout, Tiger Tahvildari battled the elements and an elite field and trails by just two shots after Day 1 of the 3C2A Men's Golf State Championships on Sunday at Sandpiper Golf Club.
On a day where where a tough course got the better of most of the 60 competitors in the field, Tahvildari sits just two shots off the lead after shooting a 2-over-par, 74, on the 6,600-yard, par-72 course.
"I hit the ball very well today, but had a hard time converting my birdie opportunities," Tahvildari said. "I'm just going to focus on hitting good putts tomorrow and really honing in on my wedges."
With a shotgun start, Tahvildari started on hole 13 and kicked things off with a birdie on the 532-yard, par-5. He was 1-under after the 18th hole the birdie train froze up a bit on the front-9 of the course, where he shot 4-over-par, 40. Finally, on his 18th hole of the day, the par-4 12th, Tahvildari picked up some momentum and nailed a birdie putt to finish +2.
"Yeah, that last hole, I hit one of the best drives of the day, leaving me about 40 yards in," Tahvildari said. "I hit a high wedge shot in there to about 4-feet and I knocked it in for a birdie."
It was a round that saw NO under-par scores, with just two players shooting an even-par, 72. With a whopping 17 players within three shots of the lead, it's anyone's guess who will earn the individual state champion crown.
Round 2 of the 3C2A Men's Golf State Championships takes place on Monday, beginning at 8 a.m. at Sandpiper Golf Club.
