Blair Claims First-Career Title at Cougar Classic

Day 1 Recap

PROVO -- Zac Blair shot a final-round 65 (-7) to capture his first-career individual title by one stroke at the PING Cougar Classic Saturday.

After finishing day one tied for fourth place at 4-under-par, Blair birdied six of his last nine holes in round three, for a tournament-low 65 and the championship. Over the final 18 holes he carded eight birdies and just one bogey.

Blair has finished in the top-5 the last two tournaments and has seven top-20 finishes during the 2010-11 season.

"Zac is just a gamer," said BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank. "He competes and he has carried us all year."

Despite improving by 11 strokes from round two to round three, the Cougars could not gain enough ground to move within reach of team champion Colorado State. BYU shot a 9-under 279 on the final day.

Cameron Edens bested a second-round 71 (-1) by sinking six birdies in round three and carding a 3-under 69. After finishing day one tied for 40th, Edens grabbed a share of 16th place overall, his second-consecutive top-20 finish.

In his final Cougar Classic, senior Esteban Calisto finished tied for 19th with a 217 (+1) tournament total. Calisto was followed closely by teammate Alton Anderson, who tied for 32nd after a third-round 77 gave him a tournament total of 219 (+3).

Adam Tebbs and Cole Ogden tied for 62nd and 68th respectively, after final rounds of 75 (+3) and 73 (+1).

Daniel Reid and Justin Keiley finished tied for 87th. Reid improved on a second-round 77 (+5) with a final-round 71 (-1), while Keiley shot a third-round 77 (+5).

Other in-state institutions Utah, Weber State, Utah State and Southern Utah also competed in this year's Cougar Classic. Utah, who finished seventh, was led by Jeff Kitches, who tied for 15th (216 E). Weber State and Utah State tied for 13th and 15th respectively. Nick Despain led Weber State by tying for 11th (215 -1) while the Aggies were led by Tyson McFarland, who joined Despain in a tie for 11th. Southern Utah was led by Jeff Evans, who posted a tournament total of 220 (+4) to tie for 40th.

BYU now readys itself for the Mountain West Conference Championships which begins May 5 in Tucson, Ariz.

The Field - 2011 PING Cougar Classic

1. Colorado State

2. UNLV

3. Pacific

4. UC Davis

5. Idaho

6. BYU

7. Utah

T8. Washington State

T8. Nevada

10. Fresno State

T11. Wyoming

T11. Northern Colorado

T13. Air Force

T13. Weber State

T15. Texas El Paso

T15. Utah State

17. Southern Utah

18. Boise State

6 Brigham Young University -3 292 290 279 861

_____________________________________________________________________________

1 Zac Blair -11 71 69 65 205

T15 Cameron Edens E 76 71 69 216

T19 Esteban Calisto +1 73 72 72 217

T68 Cole Ogden +9 74 78 73 225

T87 Justin Keiley +14 74 79 77 230

T32 Alton Anderson* +3 70 72 77 219

T62 Adam Tebbs* +8 74 75 75 224

T87 Daniel Reid* +14 82 77 71 230

* competing as an individual