By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- Willamette University ended the first day of the Whitman Men's Golf Invitational in eighth place, as the first 18 holes were completed at the Wine Valley Country Club on Saturday, Oct. 16. Whitworth University held the lead on the team results chart with a score of 292. Action will conclude with the second round on Sunday.

Yutaro Sakamoto of Linfield College topped the individual leaderboard with a score of 5-under-par 67. Two other golfers finished the day under par, as Christian Bourdreau of Whitworth carded a 3-under 69 for second place and Corey Meyers of Whitworth earned a 1-under 71 for third.

Alex Fitch from Linfield was in fourth place with an even par 72. Dustin Hegge of Pacific Lutheran University was in fifth place with a 73.

Willamette top result was recorded by Dylan Johnson (Fr., Seattle, WA/Nathan Hale HS), who shot an 81. He was part of a four-way tie for 28th. Connor Boyd (Fr., Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) of WU registered a score of 83 and Jacob Simonson (Fr., Fairview, OR/Reynolds HS) earned an 84 for the Bearcats.

Whitworth's 292 gave the Pirates a five-stroke lead with 18 holes to go. Linfield held second place at 297. Pacific Lutheran and Whitman College were tied for third place at 305. Pacific University was fifth at 313, George Fox University was sixth at 318, the University of Puget Sound was seventh at 322 and Willamette was eighth at 334.