BANDON, Ore. – Vandal freshman Joe Sykes finished three-under 69 to move to third in the individual leaderboard for the highest finish at the Bandon Dunes Championship since current Vandal head coach David Nuhn finished second at the inaugural championship in 2001.
 
Sykes tallied six birdies, including his last two holes to climb from eight to fifth. He finished with a two-round score of 143 (one-under) and was one of just four players to finish under-par in the challenging conditions at Bandon. Oregon's Owen Avrit led the way with a final score of 140 (four-under).
 
"Joe continues to impress every event with his calm demeanor, steady play and his ability to finish," Nuhn said. "His finishing ability was apparent today when the finished birdie, birdie to close the tournament."
 
As a team, the Vandals climbed four spots on the leaderbeard to finish in a tie for ninth place with a score of 599 (+23).
 
Tommy McKenzie finished with an even-par 72. Colt Sherrell finished one-over 73 in a round that included an eagle on the par-5 third hole.
 
Sam Johnson finished three-over 75 and Jose Suryadinata finished four-over 76. Sherrell and Suryadinata tied for 55th-place on the final leaderboard, Johnson tied for 63rd and McKenzie tied for 73rd.
 
"I am proud of the guy's effort against a great field," Nuhn said. "I think the team showed a lot of growth and we are going to try to keep building every round and be ready to put everything together for the Big Sky Championship."
 
Johannes Hounsgaard and Matt McGann, competing as individuals, both finished even-par 72 on the round and TJ Patterson finished eight-over 80.
 
The Vandals return to action on March 27-28 at the Oregon Duck Invitational at the Eugene Country Club.