For three days, the University of San Diego looked capable of making history.
Playing in its own backyard at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, the Toreros spent the opening rounds of the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship among the nation’s top teams, survived the 54-hole cut and entered Monday’s final round of stroke play within striking distance of the eight-team match-play bracket.
But a difficult finish ended the bid.
San Diego shot 22-over par in Monday’s fourth round and finished 15th at 24-over overall, falling short of a match-play berth after beginning the day just five shots outside the top eight.
The final result overshadowed what had otherwise been an encouraging week for the Toreros, who qualified for the NCAA Championship for the second consecutive season and remained in contention through three rounds on a course familiar to many of the players.
USD announced its presence immediately Friday behind redshirt senior Ian Maspat.
The San Diego native and Scripps Ranch High School graduate fired a 6-under-par 66 in the opening round, tying for the individual lead after 18 holes. Maspat birdied his first four holes and helped lead the Toreros to a 2-under team score, leaving them tied for fourth place among the 30 teams in the field.
“I went into the round with no expectations, I was just going to take it nice and easy, slow and steady, one shot at a time,” Maspat said afterward. “Hearing that my teammates got off to a nice start too got me going. I couldn’t have asked for a better start.”
San Diego remained firmly in the mix Saturday despite tougher scoring conditions. Freshmen Cooper Humphreys and Reid Piron each shot even par as the Toreros finished the second round tied for 12th.
The biggest step came Sunday.
Facing the 54-hole cut that reduced the field from 30 teams to 15, USD posted a 1-over-par team round and advanced by the narrowest of margins. Maspat shot a 2-under 70 to climb into a tie for seventh individually, while Humphreys and Reed Arnaldo delivered late birdies that helped secure one of the final spots in Monday’s field.
Maspat credited much of his success this season to the relationship he has developed with head coach Evan Emerick.
“Evan just gives me that confirmation,” Maspat said. “He’s another set of eyes for me and another brain. I trust him and he trusts me.”
The accomplishment marked the first time San Diego had advanced beyond the 54-hole cut at the NCAA Championship since 2010.
With a realistic opportunity to reach match play, the Toreros entered Monday tied for 12th at 2-over par. They struggled throughout the round while several teams around the cut line surged.
Florida shot 12-under to vault into a tie for third place, while Tennessee and Stanford each posted 4-under rounds to secure match-play spots.
Piron recorded the team’s best score Monday with a 1-over-par 73, but the Toreros were unable to overcome costly numbers elsewhere in the lineup. Maspat, who had spent the first three days among the individual leaders, carded a 10-over-par 82 and finished tied for 50th at4-over for the tournament.
Humphreys finished tied for 65th at 7-over, Piron tied for 68th at 8-over, Arnaldo tied for 75th at 12-over and You Seong Choi tied for 80th at 16-over.
Auburn finished first in stroke play at 27-under par, followed by Texas at 23-under.
Florida, Oklahoma State, Vanderbilt, UCLA, Tennessee, North Carolina and Stanford advanced to match play.
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