May 17, 2008

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech finished the NCAA West Regional in 12th place Saturday, narrowly missing its third-straight NCAA Championships appearance, and bringing to an end another successful season for the Red Raider golf program.

The Red Raiders were searching for their third NCAA Championships appearance since 2002 and second in as many seasons in Bremerton, Wash., just outside of Seattle. Texas, San Diego State and Pepperdine all finished a stroke ahead of the Red Raiders and competed in a playoff for the final two spots. Texas and SDSU outlasted Pepperdine to advance.

Texas Tech's 291 in the final round was its best of the tournament, but not enough to overcome an opening-round 302 that forced the Red Raiders to claw their way back into contention. The team shot a 296 in the second round and finished the event at 25-over.

Garrett Merrell led the Red Raiders with a tie for 35th after carding back-to-back 72s to give Texas Tech a chance. Chris Ward and Sergio Franky finished tied in 42nd and 46th places, respectively, while Santiago Rivas and Will Griffin tied in 57th and 71st places. Rivas joined Merrell with an even-par 72 in the final round and Ward was a stroke back with a 73.

Second-ranked Southern California (862) shot 2-under for the three-round event to claim team honors, followed by No. 48 Oregon (864), No. 14 Clemson (867), Washington (874) and No. 4 UCLA (876) in the top five. No. 11 Stanford (878), Saint Mary's (884), No. 29 Arizona State (885), No. 32 San Diego State (888) and No. 22 Texas (888) comprise the top ten teams that will advance.

Oregon's Joey Bennedetti, unranked entering the event, shot 9-under for the tournament to claim medalist honors.

For complete tournament results and standings, log-on to www.golfstat.com.

Texas Tech spent much of the season ranked among the nation's top 30 programs, due in part to the steady performance of a team loaded with young talent. Of the five golfers that participated in this weekend's regional, two are juniors, one a sophomore and two freshmen.