LA QUINTA – The CSUN men’s golf team posted identical team rounds of 297 Monday and is in 10th-place after 36 holes of the Geiberger Invitational at the PGA West Nicklaus Course.

The Matadors could not manage many red numbers on the front nine in either round but fared better on the back nine in each round. CSUN heads into the final round 14 shots out of a possible top-five finish in the 12-team field.

“The front nine gave us problems today, we just weren’t very good,” said CSUN head coach Jim Bracken. “The back nine was much better. I’m proud of the guys for grinding it out in both rounds today. We’ve got to turn the page, stay positive and get a good result tomorrow.”

Individually, senior Felix Mory heads into Tuesday’s final round tied for 12th at one-under 143. In round one, Mory was three-over through nine holes before posting birdies on three of his next five holes to get even. But a bogey at No. 16 and a double bogey at No. 18 dropped him to three-over.

Mory then carded a blistering 68 in round two with six birdies along with 10 pars. Mory’s 68 in round two matched the second-lowest of any player in round two.

Joey Varnam and Trym Falch are just outside the top-30 heading into the final round. Varnam opened with his low round of the season, a first round 70. He was two-over after nine holes before posting four birdies and five pars in a four-under back nine. Varnam then finished round two at six-over 78 and sits tied for 34th at four-over 148.

Falch is tied for 37th, one shot behind Varnam at five-over 149. Falch opened with a 76 before closing with a one-over 73 in the afternoon round.

Michael Zhang and Gabriel Barnes, who is competing as an individual, share 64th place at 13-over 157. Zhang posted rounds of 79-78 with Barnes carding rounds of 83-74.

CSUN will tee off the final round beginning at 7:48 a.m. off hole No. 15.