Upcoming Event: Men's Golf versus The Wohali on September 15, 2025
Men's Golf
vs The Wohali
Friday, May 23
Carlsbad, Calif.
University of Utah
vs
NCAA Championships
Watts Through Day One at NCAA Championships
5/23/2025 8:49 PM | Men's Golf
The senior shot a 6-over 78 to conclude the first 18 holes
CARLSBAD, Calif. – Individual Braxton Watts opened play at the NCAA Championships with a 6-over 78 at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on Friday, beginning a 54-hole race to make the cut to Monday's final round of stroke play.
"Braxton played solid golf for 16 holes, unfortunately two bad swings really cost him today," head coach Garrett Clegg said. "It was good to see that putt drop on the last hole for a birdie. He had a huge hole to climb out of and needs to play great golf over the next 36 holes in order to make the 54-hole cut. One of the biggest things for him is just tightening up his irons a bit. He had a tough time hitting shots close, but hopefully tomorrow will be a better day."
Watts got his day started with two consecutive even marks before running into back-to-back bogeys on the third and fourth holes of the course. The senior settled into a groove after moving to 2-over, totaling five even scores to head into the back nine. Watts generated some momentum with two straight birdies on the opening holes of the back nine to move back to even. On the ensuing hole, his third bogey put him 1-over with six holes remaining. After another even mark, a double bogey and a quadruple plagued the senior to put him 7-over after struggling on holes #14 and #15. Watts managed to stabilize at the end with his third birdie on the final hole to finish 6-over. The Ute golfer currently ranks tied for 130th.
CHAMPIONSHIPS STRUCTURE
All 30 teams and six individuals will complete 54 holes of stroke play. Following 54 holes of competition, the top 15 teams along with the top nine individuals not on an advancing team will advance for one additional day of stroke play to determine the top eight teams for match-play competition and the 72-hole stroke-play individual champion. The top eight teams after 72 holes of play will be placed into a bracket thereafter.
NEXT UP
Watts will continue his run during the NCAA Championship tomorrow morning at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa.
FOLLOW THE UTES
For an inside look at the Utah Golf program along with tournament, roster and news updates, fans can follow the Utes on social media (X: @UtesGolf | Instagram: @UtesGolf).
"Braxton played solid golf for 16 holes, unfortunately two bad swings really cost him today," head coach Garrett Clegg said. "It was good to see that putt drop on the last hole for a birdie. He had a huge hole to climb out of and needs to play great golf over the next 36 holes in order to make the 54-hole cut. One of the biggest things for him is just tightening up his irons a bit. He had a tough time hitting shots close, but hopefully tomorrow will be a better day."
Watts got his day started with two consecutive even marks before running into back-to-back bogeys on the third and fourth holes of the course. The senior settled into a groove after moving to 2-over, totaling five even scores to head into the back nine. Watts generated some momentum with two straight birdies on the opening holes of the back nine to move back to even. On the ensuing hole, his third bogey put him 1-over with six holes remaining. After another even mark, a double bogey and a quadruple plagued the senior to put him 7-over after struggling on holes #14 and #15. Watts managed to stabilize at the end with his third birdie on the final hole to finish 6-over. The Ute golfer currently ranks tied for 130th.
CHAMPIONSHIPS STRUCTURE
All 30 teams and six individuals will complete 54 holes of stroke play. Following 54 holes of competition, the top 15 teams along with the top nine individuals not on an advancing team will advance for one additional day of stroke play to determine the top eight teams for match-play competition and the 72-hole stroke-play individual champion. The top eight teams after 72 holes of play will be placed into a bracket thereafter.
NEXT UP
Watts will continue his run during the NCAA Championship tomorrow morning at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa.
FOLLOW THE UTES
For an inside look at the Utah Golf program along with tournament, roster and news updates, fans can follow the Utes on social media (X: @UtesGolf | Instagram: @UtesGolf).
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/ Men's Golf
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