Campeonatos Internacionales

Claudio “YAYO” Correa, flamante All American

Al ser Yayo investido como ALL AMERICAN, lo que es una distinción muy especial que se usa en el medio deportivo amateur estadounidense, nos llena de satisfacción en nuestro ambiente de GOLF ACTION. Claudio, aparte de haber sido un gran deportista de la asociación junior chilena, fue capaz de extender sus méritos y calidad al potente medio norteamericano, lo que no es menor. El joven integrante de la próxima Copa Los Andes, fue invitado por su mencionada condición al torneo ALL- AMERICA GOLF CLASSIC, que se jugó en El Paso Country Club, Texas, a 54 hoyos stroke-play entre el 6 y el 8 de Noviembre.

Cumplidos los 36 hoyos jugados el primer día, él punteaba con dos recorridos de 68 golpes. El día final con un recorrido de 73 golpes lo dejó en segundo lugar con 4 bajo el par y acumulado de 209 palos.

A continuación incluimos entrevista e información del medio local sobre el evento indicado:

UNLV's John Oda (left) shakes hands with South Florida's Claudio Correa. ( Brian Kanof )

By Lance Ringler    

Saturday, November 7, 2015

   EL PASO, Texas – During all pre-tournament festivities here at the Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic, Claudio Correa has been the first mentioned. He was the first All-American announced at the banquet, his name is listed first in the tournament program, he was the first name on the scoreboards for the putting and long drive competitions, and the reason is obvious: The players are listed in alphabetical order.

Maybe Correa felt comfortable being first this week, so why not carry that over to the leaderboard after 36 holes of competition on Day One?

The South Florida sophomore had posted just one score in the 60s in 12 rounds of college play this fall. Saturday at El Paso Country Club, he did so twice in posting back-to-back 68s. He is the only player in the field to record both rounds in the 60s.

Correa, who is making his first trip to the state of Texas, made just three bogeys while pouring in nine birdies. The key to his good play was more about minimizing the effects of his poor shots.

“When I missed I did not miss that bad. It was good misses and that is one of things I did real well today," Correa said. "I could save those bad shots."

Correa's fall season has been a bit up and down. He did have a win at the Jackrabbit but also posted a pair of finishes outside the top 30.

Correa was part of a South Florida team that made a run last year at the NCAA Championship, as the team advanced to the match portion of the tournament. Correa hinted that last year's experience at nationals could help in situations like he faces on Sunday – trying to hold on to a lead and win a golf tournament.

“Playing well there helped me to learn I can play well anywhere,” Correa said.

Correa, who is at 6-under 136 leads by two shots over East Tennessee State’s Adrian Meronk. The senior from Wroclaw, Poland finished his round with an eagle to pull within two shots and sits at 4-under 138. LSU senior Zach Wright and Arizona State senior Max Rottluff are tied for third at 3 under and three shots back. John Oda of UNLV led after 18 holes with a 6-under 65, but a 78 in the second round leaves him in a tie for eighth.

Just one player in the field played in last year’s event: USC’s Rico Hoey. The Trojan played well last year finishing in a tie for second, and appeared poised to continue the trend this week. But after an opening-round 65, Hoey responded with a 76 that nonetheless still has him within five shots of Correa.

“I have to keep approaching it how I do every other course," Hoey said. "Stick to my game plan, go through my routine and hopefully make a few putts."

Hoey has made a few putts here at El Paso Country Club. In five competitive rounds he has now posted a 65 and a 66.

The environment here at the All-America Golf Classic is laid back. The pressures are not what players face each week when traveling with their team where the schedule is very detailed and there is not much interaction with other players. This week's more casual approach seems to fit Hoey well.

“You get to relax more and that’s what I love about coming here. You feel loose here,” said Hoey. And anyone who knows the always smiling Californian will see why the surroundings here suggest good things for his game.

“Hopefully I can go low tomorrow,” Hoey said.

With 10 players within six shots of the lead and low scores likely during a morning round here at El Paso Country Club, it likely will take a low round from a player to win.

Sitio Oficial