FINAL ROUND
MURRIETA, California – The final round of the 118^th California State Open saw an exciting finish with a bunched up leaderboard that was continually moving, leaving the title up for grabs. Throughout the final round, three different competitors held the lead at one point and over handful of others were within two strokes.

Defending Champion David Gazzolo of Riverside made another notorious run for the title birding five of his final nine holes to post a four-day total of 11-under par, 277. Gazzolo had the low final round of 65 which surged him to the top and the clubhouse leader.

With four groups remaining on the course, Gazzolo anxiously waited as one other, Tyler Torano, was standing at 11-under par and tied with the lead. As David watched, his 11-under began to sit all alone after a costly bogey from Torano on the 71^st hole dropping him back to 10-under par. With a par on the 72^nd, Torano finished in solo second place for the second consecutive year. Torano had rounds of 75-67-70-65 for a four-day total of 278, -10.

David Gazzolo was once again victorious and crowned the 118^th California State Open with rounds of 75-67-70-65 for a four-day total of -11, 277 and a one stroke victory.

Gazzolo’s trophy case is starting to fill up, going back to back in the California State Open. This is just the sixth player to etch his name into the trophy with back to back victories in the California State Open, since 1969-170.

The low amateur recipient goes to Tyler Moore of Escondido with a four-day total of 7-under par, 281 placing him fifth overall. Moore is an SCPGA Junior Tour Alumni and will be transferring the UCR this year to play for the Highlanders. Moore also was the only competitor to post all four rounds under-par for the tournament.

Michael Block of Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club repeated honors of low PGA professional, finishing T8, -5, 283 alongside PGA apprentice Kyle Mendoza of South Hills Country Club.

Thank you to PGA Director of Golf Tim Gardner, Superintendent Paul Brown and staff at Bear Creek Golf Club for hosting the 118^th California State Open.

ROUND ONE
MURRIETA, California – The 118^th California State Open got underway today at Bear Creek Golf Club in Murrieta, CA with 158 contestants vowing to be the California Champion Golfer of the Year.

Tyler Torano of Chula Vista, CA took the early lead following round one posting a bogey free 6-under par 66. Torano is no stranger to the California State Open or Bear Creek Golf Club, placing second in last year’s Championship. Chad Hambright finds himself only one off the lead firing a 67 and in solo second place as well as leading the way for the Amateurs.

Players in the afternoon wave saw the teeth of the Bear when the winds began gusting 20+ mph compared to the morning calmness. There were a total of 36 at even par or better through 18-holes, only nine of which were from the afternoon wave.

ROUND TWO
MURRIETA, California – Round two of the 118th California State Open kicked off this morning at 7:30am with a full field fighting to make the cut to move on to the final two rounds. Tied atop the leaderboard at five-under-par, 139, includes Kitaek Lee of Palm Desert, Sam Gillis of Riverside, Tyler Moore (a) of Escondido, and Tyler Torano of Chula Vista.

Sam Gillis not only moved up to the top of the leaderboard, but also had low round of the day with a score of -6, 66. Sam said “I started out really well and took advantage of a couple holes, made an eagle in there. But, I really had to grind on the back nine. The wind picked up and I hit a couple squirrelly shots, but my putter really saved me. Mentally, I stayed in there and that really helped. I could have lost a few shots pretty easily, but instead I gutted it out and had a good round. Looking forward to tomorrow, should be fun!”

Jay Hwang of Fullerton joined Sam with the day’s low round at -6, 66. The current low PGA Professional is Michael Block of Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club at T8, only two off the lead. The current low amateur is SCPGA Junior Tour Alumni Tyler Moore, a recent transfer to UC Riverside from the University of Arizona.

The cut was finalized at +4, with 65 players moving on the final two rounds. Nine PGA members and apprentices made the cut including Block, Kyle Mendoza, Chris Gilley, Alex Hird, James Moreno, Chad Sorensen, Kenny Pigman, Tyler Pritkin, Raj Samra.

ROUND THREE
MURRIETA, California – It was moving day at the 118^th California State Open and a new name emerged atop the leaderboard. Fresno’s Michael Weaver took a two-shot lead going into tomorrow’s final round with a third round bogey free 5-under par 67. Weaver, currently sitting at (-9) for the Championship, has remained consistent during the week with three rounds under par – first round 71, second round 69 and today’s 67.

Chad Sorensen, PGA of Buena Vista Golf Course found his grove in the third round carding 10 birdies en route to the low round of the tournament, 64. Sorensen’s eight-under par round soared him up the leaderboard into second place.

Tyler Moore of Escondido leads the way for Amateurs at (-6) for the Championship after today’s 71.