Gulbis, the nation's second-ranked individual, entered the championship having played 24 competitive rounds this year at a total of 5 over. After shooting 77 and 78 to open the tournament, it was time to reclaim a little pride. That's where you learn what you're made of. Ochoa, the nation's top-rated player, shot 72 and is tied for sixth individually at par. Fueled by Gulbis' hot start, the Wildcats climbed to within 6 shots of Duke early in the day, but they faltered on their second nine.
Strange things happen.
ASU rallied a bit with its 12-over total Thursday, its best round to date, and didn't have to count a score in the 80s for the first time. Kang also seems capable of bringing home a title of another sort. After jokingly threatening to shoot 58 a day earlier, Kang was 4 under twice during the round. Kang, a highly aggressive player, has 15 birdies in 54 holes. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.