UNLV golfers end up ninth at Highlands

There was no miracle finish for UNLV’s golf team Sunday in its bid to repeat as champion of the Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters. But at least the Rebels’ best player regained some of his touch.

Senior Kevin Penner shook off a nightmarish 79 on Saturday and posted a 1-over-par 73 in the final round at Southern Highlands. His score helped UNLV to a ninth-place finish in the 15-team field with a three-round total of 28-over 892.

The Rebels were 36 strokes behind first-place California. The No. 1-ranked Golden Bears finished at 8-under 856, 13 strokes ahead of Alabama and New Mexico.

Stanford’s Patrick Rogers won the individual title at 4-under 212, defeating Cal’s Michael Kim, Alabama’s Cory Whitsett and New Mexico’s James Erkenbeck in a four-way playoff.

“The course and the field defined who we are and where we are as a program,” UNLV coach Dwaine Knight said. “It shows we have a lot of work to do.”

Sophomore Kurt Kitayama had the Rebels’ best score, posting his second consecutive round of par 72, but his teammates continued to struggle. Junior Blake Biddle shot 75, freshman AJ McInerney shot 76 and sophomore Carl Jonson had a 79 that was not used in the team score.

UNLV’s fate was sealed early. Starting from No. 10, the Rebels had problems at the par-3 No. 12, with Biddle and McInerney each making double bogey and Jonson triple bogey.

More trouble loomed at the par-4 15th, where every Rebel bogeyed the hole. At one point, UNLV fell to 13th after starting the round tied for 11th.

“Twelve was tough,” Knight said. “The wind was blowing pretty good, and we had some trouble. Fifteen was also tough. It was going to be hard to come back from that.”

Penner was steady through nine holes, making the turn at par. With four holes remaining, he was at 1 under and looked as if he was going to be the only Rebel to break par in the tournament.

But he made bogey at the par-4 sixth and double bogey at the par-3 eighth, putting him at 2 over. He salvaged his round with a birdie at the par-5 No. 9 for his 73.

“I think Kevin was relaxed, and he just went out and played like Kevin Penner can,” Knight said. “It was really good to see him enjoying himself again.”

Four other Rebels played as individuals and struggled. Nicholas Maruri shot 78, Zane Thomas 80, David Flynn 83 and Arthur Kim 86.

UNLV will play Saturday and Sunday in the National Invitational Tournament in Tucson, Ariz. Penner tied for third last year and tied for fourth in 2011 in the event.

“We have to close the gap. But our goals are still high,” Knight said. “We have the people who are capable of doing it. But they have to go out there and prove it.”

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.