The ASU men's golf team showed Tuesday that it still needs some fine tuning.
Some players shined briefly in the National Invitational Tournament, but the team as a whole struggled to find consistency and failed to finish rounds at Omni Tucson National Golf Club.
ASU coach Randy Lein said he was not happy leaving Tucson tied for ninth place.
"When we struggle, we should still be in the top five," Lein said. "But teams like Texas Christian [the tournament champion] really ripped it up and played well, so that's the nature of college golf now. You can't play mediocre and expect to do well."
Lein was encouraged by the play of senior Jesse Mueller, who carded a 6-under 66 in Tuesday's final round to finish tied for fourth.
"Jesse played really well," Lein said. "The bright spot here is that Jesse had been up and down, and [Tuesday] he shot a 66."
Mueller said he has improved throughout the spring and hopes he can help the team by peaking in the postseason.
Junior Alejandro Canizares, who usually sets the team's standard, has continued to be plagued by problems with his putter. He finished tied for 41st place at 1-over 217.
"Alejandro hit it well enough to be under par, but he struggled all week with his putter," Lein said.
Senior Pat Moore figured to be among the tournament leaders after 32 holes, but he faded late in Monday's second round and finished tied with Canizares.
Junior Charly Simon withdrew from the tournament Tuesday due to illness. Lein said Simon has been battling a virus and has not been able to eat in more than a day. Simon is expected to make a full recovery before ASU hosts the Thunderbird Invitational next month.
Sophomore Niklas Lemke finished tied for 50th place at 2-over 218. Lein said freshman Phil Telliard might have played his way back into the starting rotation after finishing tied for 27th place at 2-under 214.
"He hits it straight and he hits greens," Lein said. "It was a good, solid performance for him."
Reach the reporter at mark.saxon@asu.edu.
