Feb. 3, 2012
Waikoloa, Hawai’i – All-American James White shot a 4-under-par 68, and freshman Ollie Schniederjans added a 3-under 69 Friday, pacing 9th-ranked Georgia Tech to a 10-under team total of 278 and a fourth-place finish at the 22nd annual Amer Ari Invitational.
Despite its low score Friday, Tech was able to move up only one position because No. 1 Texas, No. 12 Southern California and No. 8 Stanford also blistered the 7,074-yard Waikoloa Kings’ course, each posting double-digit subpar rounds. The Longhorns (-11 Friday, -30 for the tournament) completed a 5-stroke victory over USC (-10 Friday, -25 for the tournament), while the Cardinal (-11 Friday, -20 for the tournament) finished third.
Tech put together its best and most consistent round of the tournament, as all five Tech players broke par as the Yellow Jackets completed 54 holes with a 19-under-par total of 845. The 20-team field included seven teams ranked among the nation’s top 15, the strongest ever for this event.
“It was a very exciting day,” said head coach Bruce Heppler. “It’s great to have everyone under par today. This has been a great start to the spring against an NCAA-type field, and a positive trip for everyone. “
White, a senior from Acworth, Ga., finished the tournament tied for fourth place with Stanford’s Andrew Yun at 8-under-par 208, three shots behind the Trojans’ Jeffrey Kang and the Longhorns’ Jordan Spieth, who each finished at 11-under 205. Kang closed with a 69, Spieth with a 67. Stanford’s Patrick Rodgers posted a 9-under-par tournament total of 206.
It was the second top-10 finish this year for White, who moved up 15 spots from his 36-hole standing.
Andrews, who closed with a 1-under 71 after opening rounds of 69-69, finished in a group of three players tied for sixth place at 7-under 208, his third top-10 finish.
Freshman Anders Albertson shot a closing 70, while sophomore Richy Werenski added a 71 Friday. Both players tied for 35th place at 1-under 215. Schniederjans finished in a tie for 43rd at 1-over 217.
Sophomore Seth Reeves, competing as an individual this week, tied for 23rd place at 3-under 213, tops among the group of 16 individuals.
Tech returns to action Feb. 19 at the Puerto Rico Classic.
