Courtesy of Fresno State

MARICOPA, Ariz. – Freshman Chris Bettencourt became the second Bulldog to win the opening tournament of his career, shooting an impressive 13-under 203 to claim the Southern Dunes Invitational title.

Competing as an individual, Bettencourt fired a 4-under 68, racking up six birdies throughout the final round.

Fresno State secured a third-place finish with a 10-under 854, climbing two spots on the leaderboard after posting a 6-under 282 in the final round.

Joseph Lloyd led the team with a strong performance, tying for fourth place with a 6-under 210. In the final round, he bounced back from a bogey on the 15th by sinking five birdies to finish 1-under.

Ryan Firpo delivered a stellar final round, firing a career-low 6-under to surge 23 spots up the leaderboard, finishing tied for 17th with a total score of 2-under 214. Jaden Hunter followed closely, securing a Top 25 finish with an even-par 216 for the tournament.

Mason Benbrook wrapped up the tournament at 4-over, while James Watney finished 15-over.

FRESNO STATE SCORING
T4  Joseph Lloyd              -6 (66-73-71)
T17 Ryan Firpo                 -2 (70-78-66)
T24 Jaden Hunter           E (69-74-73)
T37 Mason Benbrook    +4 (71-73-76)
56   James Watney         +15 (83-76-72)

TOURNAMENT NOTES

  • Chris Bettencourt became the second Bulldog in program history to win the opening tournament of his career, following in the footsteps of Josh Watney, who achieved the feat in 1995.
  • Joseph Lloyd earned the fourth Top 5 finish of his career.
  • Ryan Firpo shot a career-low 6-under 66 in the third round.
  • Firpo recorded the third Top 25 finish of his career.
  • Jaden Hunter chalked the first Top 25 finish of his career.

UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will be back in action Sept. 20-21 at the William H. Tucker Intercollegiate in Albuquerque, N.M.