MARICOPA, Ariz. – Freshman Chris Bettencourt became the second Bulldog to win the opening tournament of his career, shooting an impressive 13-under 203 to claim the Southern Dunes Invitational title.
Competing as an individual, Bettencourt fired a 4-under 68, racking up six birdies throughout the final round.
Fresno State secured a third-place finish with a 10-under 854, climbing two spots on the leaderboard after posting a 6-under 282 in the final round.
Joseph Lloyd led the team with a strong performance, tying for fourth place with a 6-under 210. In the final round, he bounced back from a bogey on the 15th by sinking five birdies to finish 1-under.
Ryan Firpo delivered a stellar final round, firing a career-low 6-under to surge 23 spots up the leaderboard, finishing tied for 17th with a total score of 2-under 214. Jaden Hunter followed closely, securing a Top 25 finish with an even-par 216 for the tournament.
Mason Benbrook wrapped up the tournament at 4-over, while James Watney finished 15-over.
FRESNO STATE SCORING
T4 Joseph Lloyd -6 (66-73-71)
T17 Ryan Firpo -2 (70-78-66)
T24 Jaden Hunter E (69-74-73)
T37 Mason Benbrook +4 (71-73-76)
56 James Watney +15 (83-76-72)
TOURNAMENT NOTES
Chris Bettencourt became the second Bulldog in program history to win the opening tournament of his career, following in the footsteps of Josh Watney, who achieved the feat in 1995.
Joseph Lloyd earned the fourth Top 5 finish of his career.
Ryan Firpo shot a career-low 6-under 66 in the third round.
Firpo recorded the third Top 25 finish of his career.
Jaden Hunter chalked the first Top 25 finish of his career.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will be back in action Sept. 20-21 at the William H. Tucker Intercollegiate in Albuquerque, N.M.