Friday, October 13
Alpharetta, GA
All Day
UCLA
at
Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate Invitational
Omar Morales (photo: Ross Turteltaub)
Photo by: Ross Turteltaub
Morales Captures Second Collegiate Medal in Georgia
October 15, 2023 | Men's Golf
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Junior Omar Morales on the UCLA men's golf team won the second medal of his collegiate career, earning co-champion honors with a score of 11-under at the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate Invitational on Sunday. The Bruins finished 11th out of 15 teams at even par 864.
Morales' victory marks UCLA's second medal in back-to-back events with freshman Luke Powell winning his first medal at the Hamptons Intercollegiate on Oct. 3. Morales is the third Bruin to medal at the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate, joining Eddy Lai (2019) and Erik Flores (2009). This marks the first time since the 2018-2019 season that UCLA has won an individual medal in back-to-back events (Hidetoshi Yoshihara and Cole Madey). The Bruins last won two individual medals in the fall portion of their schedule in the 2012-2013 season (Jonathan Garrick and Pontus Widegren).
Morales recorded two rounds of 4-under 68 to open the tournament and shot a 3-under 69 in round three. He totaled 15 birdied across the three days and bogeyed just once in each of his final two rounds. The Puebla, Mexico native's 54-hole score of 205 was the second lowest of his career behind his other medal performance at the El Macero Classic where he shot 203. Morales has shot in the 60s in five of his last six rounds.
Suspense ensued after Morales finished seven holes before fellow co-champion Algot Kleen from Tennessee State. The two were tied at 11-under for until Kleen took sole possession of the lead on with a birdie on the par 4 16th, but a bogey on 18 set him back into a tie.
UCLA's next top three finishers were bunched in the middle of the pack: Mason Greene (+4, t-49th), Pablo Ereño (+6, t-56th) and Kyle An (+6, t-56th).
The Bruins close out their fall schedule at The Cal Poly Invitational at The Preserve Golf Club in Carmel, Calif. from Oct. 30-31.
Morales' victory marks UCLA's second medal in back-to-back events with freshman Luke Powell winning his first medal at the Hamptons Intercollegiate on Oct. 3. Morales is the third Bruin to medal at the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate, joining Eddy Lai (2019) and Erik Flores (2009). This marks the first time since the 2018-2019 season that UCLA has won an individual medal in back-to-back events (Hidetoshi Yoshihara and Cole Madey). The Bruins last won two individual medals in the fall portion of their schedule in the 2012-2013 season (Jonathan Garrick and Pontus Widegren).
Morales recorded two rounds of 4-under 68 to open the tournament and shot a 3-under 69 in round three. He totaled 15 birdied across the three days and bogeyed just once in each of his final two rounds. The Puebla, Mexico native's 54-hole score of 205 was the second lowest of his career behind his other medal performance at the El Macero Classic where he shot 203. Morales has shot in the 60s in five of his last six rounds.
Suspense ensued after Morales finished seven holes before fellow co-champion Algot Kleen from Tennessee State. The two were tied at 11-under for until Kleen took sole possession of the lead on with a birdie on the par 4 16th, but a bogey on 18 set him back into a tie.
UCLA's next top three finishers were bunched in the middle of the pack: Mason Greene (+4, t-49th), Pablo Ereño (+6, t-56th) and Kyle An (+6, t-56th).
The Bruins close out their fall schedule at The Cal Poly Invitational at The Preserve Golf Club in Carmel, Calif. from Oct. 30-31.
Players Mentioned
UCLA Men’s Golf Interview - Coach Armen Kirakossian, B1G Today (May 16, 2025)
Saturday, May 17
UCLA Men’s Golf Interview – Coach Armen Kirakossian, B1G Today (May 16, 2025)
Friday, May 16
Omar Morales Press Conference - Latin America Amateur Championships (Jan. 20, 2024)
Saturday, January 20
Veterans Golf Clinic
Wednesday, January 22