I-A GOLF: Magruder holds off Ancell for championship

After grabbing an eight-stroke lead on the course in the first round of the Division I-A state tournament on Tuesday, the junior felt comfortable enough to remain in attack mode on day two.

“I had the mindset of keeping it offensive, instead of playing not to lose like I did last week in (the region tournament),” Magruder said.

Magruder withstood a late push from Pahrump Valley’s Austen Ancell and finished the tournament at 2-under-par 142 Wednesday to win his second Division I-A state championship at Mountain Falls.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Magruder, who also won at the Pahrump course in 2014. “It’s kind of nice to know my name’s going to be around there for a while. It’s great to have all this competition. I know Austen played really well today. So to win this one feels a little better than freshman year.”

Magruder had a seven-stroke lead at the turn Wednesday, but faltered on the back nine, specifically on hole No. 12.

“That was just kind of my unlucky hole today,” Magruder said of his triple-bogey. “Everything else, I played pretty up to par. … Overall, it went pretty well. I hit it a little bit worse than yesterday, but not as bad as regionals.”

Ancell, the 2015 state champion, had a strong wedge game on his team’s home course to pull within three strokes heading into hole No. 17.

The eight-stroke lead was just too big to overcome.

“I’m happy with the way I played for the two days,” said Ancell, who had four birdies on the day and shot 1-over 145. “For a 1-over total, I’m happy with that. Charlie just played really well for the two days and he turned out to be the better player. … After that 5-under (67) on the first day, that was kind of hard to compete with that. But I’m glad it was him (who won).”

Faith Lutheran coach Mark Cheney said the similar experience from last week’s Southern Region tournament helped Magruder.

“He learned from last week and came in with a little different mindset,” Cheney said. “He’s also played terrific golf the last three weeks. And he loves this course. He just plays well here. That certainly brings a level of comfort to him.”

Pahrumps Derrek Moore and Faith Lutheran’s Mitch Conley each shot 158. Conley was awarded third place on a scorecard playoff.

“I struggled a little bit off the tee, but I putted really well,” said Conley, a senior. “So I think that’s what kept me in it. … I kind of had a rough year, but I’m glad I finished strong.”

Boulder City’s Kyler Atkinson and Virgin Valley’s Hogan Fowles each finished at 159. Atkinson was awarded fifth place on a scorecard playoff.

The Crusaders won their third consecutive state title with a 797. Pahrump Valley was second with 834 points.

“It’s a pretty cool experience,” Conley said. “It’s very unique. It doesn’t happen a lot, so I’m just proud of everyone.”

Contact reporter Ashton Ferguson at aferguson@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0430. Follow him on Twitter: @af_ferguson