Ruutu Wins Thunderbird Invitational, T-Bird (M-Golf) Finishes Runner-up

Oliver Ruutu picked up his first win at NMJC this week at the par-72 Thunderbird Invitational.

Ruutu shot 71-66 over 36 holes to post 7-under for the championship. The Finn's final round 6-under 66 is a career-low for the freshman. Ruutu birdied 13 out of his 36 holes this week. 

The T-Birds finished runner-up at 3-under par behind the champion Western Texas College who won the tournament at 9-under. 

The Thunderbirds shot 295-278 over 36 holes to finish six shots back of the Westerners. The final-round 278 was the low round of the tournament in Hobbs, NM.

Sophomore Henry Drake shot 73-71 at Rockwind Community Links this week to finish even par for the tournament. The Englishman placed sixth after posting four birdies and an eagle throughout his 36 holes. 

Jake Yrene had a strong first 18 holes shooting a 1-under 71 on Day 1. Yrene struggled in the second round shooting a 7-over 79. The New Mexico native recorded seven birdies throughout his 36 holes to finish T-23 at 6-over. 

Freshman Nick Friedrichsen struggled to find his footing in the first round shooting an 8-over 80.  Friedrichsen found his form in Round 2 firing a 1-over 73 to finish T-36 at 9-over par. 

Sophomore Elias Pettersson was DQ'd in Round 1 due to an improper scorecard. The Swede had it rolling in Round 2 firing a 4-under 68. Pettersson had it up to 6-under but closed bogey-par-bogey-par to finish 4-under.

Alfie Mellor was the top individual for the Thunderbirds this week. Mellor's first round featured four birdies and five bogeys as he shot an opening-round 73. The second round for Mellor was nothing short of incredible. The New Mexico native was 5-over through his first 10 holes and then flipped the script going eagle-birdie-birdie-par-eagle-birdie-birdie-bogey. The 70 tied a career-low and the fifth-place finish at 1-under was a career best for the freshman. 

Paul Noel turned in rounds of 74-72 to finish T-7 at 2-over par. Noel's rounds consisted of four birdies and one eagle. PJ Herron shot back-to-back 74s to place T-14 at 4-over. Herron recorded 10 birdies over his 36 holes. 

Freshman Jan Porchet opened with a 7-over 79 and closed with a 1-under 71. The second round featured seven birdies on the card on his way to a T-23 finish at 6-over. Andrew Park struggled this week shooting 80-79 to finish in 49th place at 15-over.

The Thunderbirds compete next at the Colin Montgomerie Invite March. 3-4 in Sweetwater, Texas at Sweetwater Country Club.