For the second straight tournament, the ASU men's golf team has hit the links in sync and positioned itself for a win.
Improbable players stepped up again Sunday in the opening round of the National Invitational Tournament at Omni Tucson National Golf Club.
The Sun Devils enter today's second round tied for third with New Mexico and UA's "B" squad at 8-under 280. Texas Christian leads Nevada-Las Vegas by 1 stroke for first place.
After junior Alejandro Canizares started with a double bogey on the first hole, seniors Pat Moore and Jesse Mueller responded. Moore fired a 4-under 68, and Mueller carded a 3-under 69.
ASU coach Randy Lein said Moore and Muller have been dependable.
"The nice thing about Jesse is there is no quit in him. He just keeps grinding away," Lein said. "Pat has just been playing with a lot of confidence since last month."
Canizares finished the opening round true to form, birdying four holes without another miscue to finish at 2-under 70.
Lein said Canizares could have been leading the field had it not been for a couple missed putts on the back nine.
"He opened up with a double, and certainly with someone of his caliber, you don't expect that to happen," Lein said. "He missed probably three putts within 5 feet after that, so he had opportunities to make more birdies and get it into the 60s."
Still, Lein said Canizares, the 2003 national champion, has proven he can rally.
"He feels good, and I think he is comfortable about [today]," Lein said. "He's in good position. He came from behind when he won his first college tournament two years ago here."
Lein said his team had so much success Sunday partly because of the absence of strong winds that have typically caused players to record high scores at Omni Tucson National.
Sophomore Niklas Lemke recorded a 1-over 73. Freshman Phil Telliard, who is competing as an individual, finished at even-par 72. Junior Charly Simon, whose score was not counted, finished at 3-over 75.
Lein said he was encouraged by Moore's perseverance.
"It seems like in the past he seems to expect a let down at the end," Lein said of Moore's tendency to pick up strokes down the stretch. "To finish with a birdie on a tough hole and get back to 4-under was good to see out of him. We closed pretty strong, and as a coach, that's always what you'd like to see."
Reach the reporter at mark.saxon@asu.edu.
