(Photo courtesy of Muralidhar Theegala)

Sahith Theegala, a soon-to-be freshman at Pepperdine University this fall, was one stroke away from tying the course record of 64 with his round one performance. He closed with a 72 on Sunday to defeat Gordon Neale of Trabuco Canyon by three.

Neale, also a current high school senior, was originally committed to Southern Methodist but as of February has decided to play in the fall of 2015 for Florida. He posted rounds of 71-69 to take second by two shots over Jason Wall of Whittier.

Theegala, along with friend Ashwin Arasu, qualified for the inaugural U.S. Amateur Four-Ball earlier this month at The Olympic Club. The pair shot back-to-back rounds of 71 and missed the cut by two. Theegala tied for first back in February at the Rancho Santa Margarita Amateur, losing on the first playoff hole to Jeff Coburn.

Neale, who was born in South Africa, traveled back to his homeland and qualified for the South African Stroke Play in March, where he reached the round-of-32. He also played well at the Terra Cotta Invitational in April, placing eighth while only being three strokes out of second place.